Colorectal Cancer

Screening schedule

Screening should begin at ages 50, which are at average risk for colorectal cancer. People with high risk should be screened earlier.

Average Risk Group– Asymptomatic and no family history

• Screening starts at 50 years of age

• Digital rectal examination, and Stool occult blood testing – Every year

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy- every 5 years

• Colonoscopy – every 10 years

• Barium enema – every 5-10 years

High Risk Group

• Family history of colorectal cancer- colonoscopy 10 years prior to youngest case in family

• Personal history of colorectal polyp- Colonoscopy one year after polypectomy if polyp was more than 1 cm, multiple and villous or three years after polypectomy for solitary tubular polyp.

• Personal history of colorectal cancer/endometrial/ovarian cancer

• Very High Risk Group

• Family history of familial adenomatous polyposis

• Family history of non polyposis colorectal cancer- Colonoscopy 10 years prior to youngest family member

• People with inflammatory bowel disease- after15th year of diagnosis

Presence of warning symptoms or a mass in your belly or rectum is suspective. Sometimes barium enema, CT colonography or CT scan findings may provide the clue.

Diagnosis is confirmed by colonoscopy (when the tumor is visualized) and biopsy.

Warning symptoms for colorectal cancer.

• Blood in the stools

• Change in bowel habits

• Unexplained Anaemia

• Unexplained abdominal pain

• Abdominal/rectal mass

Colorectal cancer can be a silent disease and not have any symptoms at all.

The best way is colorectal screening.

• Get screened regularly beginning at age 40.

• Exercise and maintain a normal body weight.

• Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and high-fiber foods.

• Avoid foods that are high in fat.

• Moderate carbohydrate intake and reducing refined suger

• Don’t smoke and drink alcohol only in moderation.

• Role of ‘antioxidants’, colonic irrigation or herbal remedies is not evidenced.