Colorectal cancer: What You Need to Know

WHAT YOU NEED TO In Singapore KNOW ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER It is the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths among men and the 3rd most common cause among women a,456, o males were diagnose Colorectal cancer has taken over lung cancer in the last five years to become the most frequently occurring cancer among Singapore males, 2006 to 2010 Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease in which malignant cells grow in the tissue of the colon or rectum, forming tumors It remains the most frequently occurring cancer after breast cancer for females. 3,750 females What Are The Symptoms? CRC symptoms are non-specific and may include: Blood/mucus in the stool Pain or discomfort Unexplained weight loss Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation Extreme tiredness Feeling of still needing the toilet after having emptied the bowel Lump in the abdomen Are You At Risk? Stages More than 90% of people diagnosed with CRC are over 50 years old AGE Stage I Stage II Stage II Stage IV A family history of colorectal cancer, polyps in the rectum or chronic inflammatory bowel disease MEDICAL HISTORY The cancer is in the inner layers spread through spread to nearby spread to other of the colon, and the muscle wall lymph nodes is surrounded by of the colon, but The cancer has The cancer has The cancer has areas within the body A diet high in red and processed meats and fat (especially animal fat) has not yet breached it normal tissue DIET Physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol intake 80-95% 55-80% 40% 10% OTHER FACTORS chance of survival chance of survival chance of survival chance of survival 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 CRC related deaths: 1,875 Diagnosed Cases: 4,456 CRC Related Deaths And Diagnosed Cases CRC related deaths: 1,562 Diagnosed Cases: 3,750 CRC related deaths: 1,809 Diagnosed Cases: 4,262 CRC related deaths: 1,564 Diagnosed Cases: 3.647 CRC related deaths: 1,758 Diagnosed Cases: 4,103 CRC related deaths: 1,549 Diagnosed Cases: 3,579 CRC related deaths: 1,705 Diagnosed Cases: 3,902 CRC related deaths: 1,485 Diagnosed Cases: 3,375 How early detection can help you! Get FIT Go for that scope! People aged 50 years and above are encouraged to have a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) once a year. If your FIT is abnormal, it doesn't mean that you have cancer, but you should have a colonoscopy. Speak to your doctor for more information. In the time it takes to cover a soccer match's half time break, you can easily perform the safe and painless test at home. Go to www.hpb.gov.sg for easy instructions. A colonoscopy is a simple procedure that takes less than 30 minutes. You may have to eat lightly beforehand (no roti prata or bee hoon that morning!), and rest at home afterwards for the day (more time for your favorite kopi-o and Taiwanese dramas!). Treatment Options When initially diagnosed with cancer, an oncologist will provide you with the cancer treatment options. He or she will recommend the best treatment plan based on your type of cancer, how far it has spread, and other important factors like your age and general health. This includes both traditional therapies (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy), and newer forms of treatment such as targeted therapy. TRADITIONAL THERAPIES SURGERY Surgery can be used to diagnose, treat, or even help prevent cancer in some cases. It often offers the greatest chance for cure, especially if the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. RADIOTHERAPY Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves to kill cancer cells. It is one of the most common treatments for cancer, either by itself or along with other forms of treatment. CНEMOTHERAPY Chemotherapy may be used in patients undergoing surgery. The thought of having chemotherapy frightens many people. But knowing what chemotherapy is, how it works, and what to expect can often help calm your fears. It can also give you a better sense of control over your cancer treatment. TARGETED THERAPIES A growing part of many cancer treatment regimens, targeted therapy is a newer type of cancer treatment that uses drugs or other substances to more precisely identify and attack cancer cells, usually while doing little damage to normal cells. A good analogy would be that of a lock and key. Several studies have found that colorectal cancer patients with a genetic biomarker known as KRAS 'wild-type' have benefited from a monoclonal antibody called Erbitux (cetuximab), which targets the biomarker and interferes with a tumor cell's capacity to grow and divide. Erbitux is designed to seek out and lock onto a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Some cancers have higher than normal numbers of these receptors on their surfaces. Once cetuximab attaches to these cells, it brings in other immune cells to help kill them. мекск „MERCK were diagnosed