- What is CRC ?
- Stages of CRC
- Symptoms
- Risk Factors for CRC
- Screening Guidelines for CRC
- Screening methods
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, occurs in the colon or rectum. As the graphic below shows, the colon is part of the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.
Colon cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly effective. In the most difficult cases — when the cancer has spread to the liver, lungs or other sites — treatment can help make surgery an option for many, as well as prolonging and adding to one’s quality of life.
Research is constantly being done to learn more and provide hope for people no matter what stage they are. Most colon cancers develop first as polyps, which are abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum that may later become cancerous if not removed.
Stages of colon cancer
Stage 0: This is the earliest stage possible. Cancer hasn’t moved from where it started; it’s still restricted to the innermost lining of the colon. Stage 0 is also called Carcinoma in Situ.
Stage I: Cancer has begun to spread, but is still in the inner lining. Stage I is also called Dukes A colon cancer.
Stage II: Many of these cancers have grown through the wall of the colon and may extend into nearby tissue. They have not yet spread to the lymph nodes. Stage II is also called Dukes B colon cancer.
Stage III: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes, but has not been carried to distant parts of the body. Stage III is also called Dukes C colon cancer.
Stage IV: Cancer has been carried through the lymph system to distant parts of the body, most commonly lungs and liver. This is known as metastasis. Stage IV is also called Dukes D colon cancer.
Symptoms
NOTE: MANY PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH CRC NEVER HAD ANY SYMPTOMS NOR EARLY SIGNS
RISK FACTORS FOR CRC
SCREENING GUIDELINES FOR CRC
Screening guidelines for CRC depends on whether you are in the increased or in the average risk group.
INCREASED RISK GROUP
- Patients with alarms symptoms (like blood in stool, abdominal pain and change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, and others).
- Males / Females who have a family history of known genetic disorders that predispose them to a high lifetime risk of colorectal cancer, such as:
- Lynch syndrome
- familial adenomatous polyposis
- Males / Females who have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
- Males / Females who had a previous adenomatous polyp, or previous colorectal cancer.
AVERAGE RISK GROUP
People who have no symptoms (asymptomatic) who are 45 years and older and who don’t have any of the above increased risk factors.
SCREENING METHODS
The American Cancer Society (ACS), recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45.
Stool-based tests
FECAL IMMUNOCHEMICAL TEST (F.I.T.) EVERY YEAR
Visual (structural) exams of the colon and rectum
COLONOSCOPY EVERY 10 YEARS
A colonoscopy is often considered the “gold standard” for colon screening. A gastroenterologist uses a colonoscope to view the entire colon and the rectum and to remove any polyps.
Recommendations for screening:
- Average risk group:
| Screening Test | Age at initial | Frequency | |
| Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) | 45 years | Annually through age 75 |
- Increased risk group:
| Screening Test | Starting Age and Frequency | |
| Colonoscopy | As recommended by the gastroenterologist |
SAID NGO 