Colorectal cancer is commonly diagnosed in people aged 50 years and over. However, in recent years, the number of cases in younger individuals has risen. The Department of Colorectal Surgery from Singapore General Hospital (SGH) shares more.
In Singapore, colorectal cancer (also known as colon cancer) continues to be the top cancer affecting both men and women.
Colorectal cancer (colon cancer) has been overall the most common cancer in Singapore over the last 10 years. It is a cancer that may be prevented or treated with cure if discovered early.
“Most types of colorectal cancer arise from polyps which start out as benign or non-cancerous growths from the cells lining the inside of the colon or rectum. The change from being benign to becoming cancerous may take years but once a polyp becomes cancerous, it can grow and invade surrounding organs,” says
Associate Professor Tang Choong Leong, Senior Consultant from the
Department of Colorectal Surgery,
Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the
SingHealth group.
What causes colorectal cancer? Is it be curable? Watch this video to find out.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer
Most cases of early colon cancer hardly present any symptoms. Even during advanced stages, colon cancer can have seemingly benign symptoms:
Change in bowel habits
Presence of blood in stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort, pain or mass felt
Difficulty or pain with reduction of stool calibre during defaecation
Unexplained weight loss or decrease in red blood cells (anaemia)
Colon cancer affects the young too
Although the risk of getting colorectal cancer increases significantly after the age of 50, with most patients being in the 55-65 age group, up to one-fifth of the cases seen by doctors today are young adults.
Furthermore, diagnosis among younger patients is often delayed compared to their older counterparts due to the misunderstanding that colorectal cancer is rare among this group of patients. In most patients, by the time the condition is properly diagnosed, about 50 to 60 per cent already have advanced stage cancer (stage 3 or 4).
Read on to learn about the
screening methods to detect colorectal cancer.
Because #healthiswealth #healthforgood
Ref: R14
Check out other articles on colorectal cancer (colon cancer):
4 FAQs for Colorectal Cancer
7 Effective Ways to Prevent Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer: Commonly Asked Questions Answered!
Colorectal Cancer Treatment: What Are Your Options?
Suspect You May Have Colon Cancer? Here's What to Do
