Colorectal cancer: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine (colon) and its final part (the rectum), which can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, anemia, weight loss and the presence of blood in the stool.

This type of cancer has no specific cause, however it can happen more easily in people who consume alcoholic beverages or red meat in excess, are male, have a family history of cancer or have gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, for example.

If colorectal cancer is suspected, it is important that a gastroenterologist or coloproctologist is consulted so that tests can be carried out to evaluate the intestine and the diagnosis and assessment of the extent of the disease (staging) can be made. After this stage, the ideal treatment will be recommended, which can be done through chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, and surgery, in some cases.

Main symptoms

The main signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• Change in evacuation frequency;
• Diarrhea or constipation;
• Dor abdominal;
• Anemia;
• Weight loss;
• Presence of blood in the stool.

Symptoms generally only appear in more advanced stages of colorectal cancer. Therefore, in case of suspicion, especially in people over 45 years of age who present blood loss in the stool, it is important to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist for an evaluation.

Online symptom test

To find out your risk of bowel cancer, select your symptoms from the test below:

The symptom test is only a guidance tool and does not serve as a diagnosis or replace consultation with a gastroenterologist, coloproctologist, oncologist or general practitioner.

Possible causes

There is no specific cause for colorectal cancer, but there are some factors that appear to increase the risk of developing it, such as:

• Male;
• Family history of colorectal cancer;
• Hereditary syndromes related to colorectal cancer;
• Crohn’s disease;
• Ulcerative colitis;
• Smoking;
• Excessive alcohol consumption;
• Excess red or processed meat in the diet;
• Little consumption of fruits and vegetables;
• Obesity;
• Diabetes.

In addition, some diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and familial diseases, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome, also increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer when present.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of colorectal cancer is usually made through colonoscopy, which is able to identify changes in the intestine that indicate the disease. However, other tests such as computed tomography colonography may be necessary when the colonoscopy cannot be completed or in the case of inadequate preparations. Discover the main tests used to identify bowel cancer.

Generally, CT and MRI scans are used to assess the size of the cancer and its presence in other parts of the body. Furthermore, the measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the blood can be useful to assess the severity of the disease and the response to treatment. Understand better what it is for and the meaning of the CEA dosage result.

Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer screening is generally recommended for all adults between 45 and 75 years of age and can be done through tests such as:

• Test for fecal occult blood: Yearly;
• Computed tomography colonography: every 5 years;
• Flexible rectosigmoidoscopy: every 5 years;
• Colonoscopy: every 10 years;

Generally, the choice of exam to be performed depends on the doctor’s recommendation. Furthermore, when the risk of developing cancer is higher, screening may be indicated even before the age of 45.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for colorectal cancer must be indicated by a gastroenterologist or oncologist based on an assessment of the symptoms presented by the person, involvement of the large intestine and rectum and characteristics of the cancer.

Thus, surgery may be indicated to remove the part affected by the tumor, and chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy may be necessary to ensure the elimination of cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be indicated before surgery to control tumor growth. Understand how colorectal cancer is treated.

How to prevent colorectal cancer

Some measures can reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer, such as:

• Regular practice of physical activities;
• Greater consumption of whole grains;
• Increase the amount of fiber in your diet;
• Consume more milk and dairy products;
• Greater consumption of fish.

Furthermore, you should prefer to consume foods rich in vitamins C and D, such as acerola, orange, raw yellow pepper, salmon, seafood or fish liver oil, for example. Check out the complete list of foods that contain vitamin C and vitamin D.