🔅 COLORECTAL CANCER

– Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) or the rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Colorectal cancer can cause symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue. However, many people have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

– The exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known, but some factors may increase the risk of developing it, such as older age, family history, genetic mutations, chronic inflammation, diet, obesity, smoking, alcohol, and environmental exposures. Some of these risk factors can be avoided or modified by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting red and processed meats, staying physically active, not smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation.

– Colorectal cancer can be diagnosed by various tests, such as physical examination, blood tests, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, biopsy, and imaging scans. These tests can help find and remove polyps (abnormal growths) before they turn into cancer, or detect cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat. The stage of colorectal cancer describes how far it has spread and affects the treatment options and prognosis. The stages range from 0 to 4, with lower numbers indicating more localized cancers and higher numbers indicating more advanced cancers.

– Colorectal cancer can be treated by different methods, depending on the stage, location, and characteristics of the tumor, as well as the patient's preferences and overall health. The main types of treatment are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. These treatments can be used alone or in combination to remove the cancer, shrink the tumor, kill the cancer cells, or stop them from growing and spreading.

– Colorectal cancer can be prevented or detected early by regular screening, especially for people who are older than 45 years or have a high risk of the disease. Screening can help find and remove polyps before they become cancerous, or diagnose cancer at an early stage when it is more likely to be cured. There are different types of screening tests, such as stool tests, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and CT colonography. Each test has its own benefits and drawbacks, and the choice of test depends on the availability, cost, and patient's preference.

– Colorectal cancer is a serious and common disease that can affect anyone. However, with proper screening, prevention, and treatment, many cases can be avoided or cured. If you have any symptoms or risk factors for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about the best screening and treatment options for you.

POLYPS AND ITS TYPES

– Polyps are abnormal growths that can develop on the lining of various organs, such as the colon, uterus, stomach, nose, or ear. Polyps can have different shapes, sizes, and structures, and some may have a higher risk of becoming cancerous than others. Some types of Polyps are:

1). Adenomatous polyps

– These are neoplastic polyps that form in the colon or rectum. They are the most likely to turn into colorectal cancer if given enough time to grow. They can be further classified into tubular, tubulovillous, or villous adenomas, depending on the proportion of finger-like projections (villi) on their surface. Villous adenomas have the highest risk of cancer.

2). Serrated polyps

– These are also neoplastic polyps that form in the colon or rectum. They have a saw-toothed appearance under the microscope. They can be divided into sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs), traditional serrated adenomas (TSAs) and hyperplastic polyps. SSAs and TSAs have a high risk of cancer, while hyperplastic polyps have a low risk of cancer.

3). Hyperplastic and inflammatory polyps

– These are nonneoplastic polyps that form in the colon or rectum. They are usually small and benign, and do not have a significant risk of cancer. They are caused by inflammation or irritation of the colon wall.

4). Endometrial polyps

– These are polyps that form in the uterus, usually in the lining (endometrium). They can cause infertility, irregular menstrual bleeding, or vaginal bleeding. They have a low risk of cancer, but they can be associated with endometrial cancer in some cases.

5). Cervical polyps

– These are polyps that form in the cervix, where the uterus connects to the vagina. They are usually benign and do not cause symptoms, but they can sometimes bleed during menstruation or sex, or produce an unusual discharge. They have a very low risk of cancer, but they can be associated with cervical cancer in rare cases.

6). Gastric polyps

– These are polyps that form in the stomach and stomach lining. They can be caused by chronic inflammation, infection, or genetic factors. They can cause nausea, pain, tenderness, vomiting, or bleeding. They have a variable risk of cancer, depending on the type and size of the polyp.

7). Nasal polyps

-These are polyps that form in the nose or near the sinuses. They are usually benign and caused by chronic inflammation, allergies, or infection. They can cause symptoms similar to the common cold, such as headache, nose pain, loss of smell, or difficulty breathing. They have a very low risk of cancer, but they can be associated with nasal or sinus cancer in rare cases.

8). Aural polyps

– These are polyps that form in the ear canal. They are usually benign and caused by chronic inflammation, infection, or trauma. They can cause loss of hearing and blood drainage from the ear. They have a very low risk of cancer, but they can be associated with ear or skin cancer in rare cases.

SYMPTOMS OF POLYPS

– Polyps do not usually cause any symptoms, but sometimes they can cause bleeding, pain, changes in bowel habits, infertility, or difficulty breathing, depending on the location and size of the polyp.

– Polyps are usually removed during a procedure called a polypectomy, which involves inserting a tube with a camera and a tool into the affected organ and cutting or burning off the polyp. This can be done during a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy, a hysteroscopy, a gastroscopy, a nasal endoscopy, or an ear exam, depending on the type of polyp. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to remove larger or more complicated polyps.

– If you have polyps, you should have regular check-ups and screenings to monitor them and prevent any complications, such as cancer. You should also talk to your doctor about the best ways to reduce your risk of developing polyps, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol.

PREVENTING COLON POLYPS

– Colon polyps are small growths that form on the lining of the colon (large intestine). Some of them can become cancerous over time, so it is important to have regular screenings and remove them if found. According to various sources, some of the ways to prevent colon polyps are:

• Have regular screenings: The best way to prevent colon polyps and colorectal cancer is to have regular screenings, such as colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or stool tests. These tests can help find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer. You should start screening at age 45 or earlier if you have a high risk of the disease.

• Eat a healthy diet: A diet that is high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in red and processed meats, can help lower your risk of colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Fiber can help prevent constipation and keep your colon healthy. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants and vitamins that can protect your cells from damage. Red and processed meats can increase inflammation and the production of harmful substances in your colon.

• Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve your digestion, and reduce inflammation. Being overweight or obese can increase your risk of colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week.

• Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and drinking alcohol can damage your DNA and increase your risk of colon polyps and colorectal cancer. Smoking can also impair your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight infections and diseases. Alcohol can interfere with the absorption of nutrients and increase the levels of toxins in your colon. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. If you drink alcohol, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

• Take supplements if needed: Some supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D, and folic acid, may help prevent colon polyps and colorectal cancer. However, you should consult your doctor before taking any supplements, as they may have side effects or interact with other medications. You should also get enough of these nutrients from your diet, as they have other health benefits as well.

💫 LIGHTS ON!!

– Physical activity can help lower your risk of colon polyps and colorectal cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, improving your digestion, and reducing inflammation. The general recommendation is to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. However, some studies suggest that even an hour of exercise per week may have some benefits. You can choose any type of exercise that you enjoy and that suits your fitness level, such as walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or dancing.