Colorectal cancer, commonly referred to as colon cancer, is an abnormal pattern of growth of cells that invade and destroy the health surrounding tissue and may spread to distant sites. Cancer is life-threatening and early diagnosis, rapid treatment and proper monitoring is therefore essential. Malignant tumors may arise anywhere in the body and sometimes this spreads to the colon and rectum in which case it is known as a secondary tumor or metastases. If the tumor originates within the colon and rectum, then it is known as a primary tumor. Colorectal cancer is a very common types of cancer and a person with risk factors, like a family history of colorectal cancer, needs to be tested regularly.
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What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is a malignant growth in the colon. It usually affects the rectum as well so the joint term is coloretal cancer (CRC). The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and processes all the waste material in the bowels that are eventually passed into the rectum and evacuated as faeces. Like the rest of the gut, it is lined with epithelium known as the mucosa. Most colorectal cancers starts as overgrowths of mucosal tissue know as polyps or adenomas. Not every polyp is cancerous though. Colorectal cancer is among the five most common types of cancers and screening in high risk individuals is advisable.
Bowel movements should be regular and ideally at least once daily. The stool should be soft but firm and pass out without any pain or straining. However, bowel habit varies from person to person. It is normal to have a bowel movement between 3 times a day and 3 times a week. The stool may also vary among different bowel movements even within the same day. Constipation is defined by having :
- fewer than 3 bowel movements per week.
- passing hard stools.
- straining to defecate.
- feeling of incomplete bowel movement after defecating.
Pain may be present when passing stool and at times manual intervention may be necessary to remove the stool and facilitate defecation. Constipation is a symptom and its presentation may vary among individuals but most people who are constipated experience two or more of the features above.
What is irritable bowel syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS for short, is a bowel disorder that is associated with abdominal pain and changes in bowel habit. It is a functional bowel disorder meaning that there is no evident disease process but is rather associated with a disturbance in the normal functioning of the bowel. IBS is also known by another now outdated term – ‘spastic colon’. It is often confused with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) which is another common yet less prevalent disorder that is due to actual disease processes affecting the bowels.
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is chronic inflammation of the bowels, mainly the large intestine, due to an immune reaction. It should not be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which is a functional bowel condition of unknown cause. The bowels comprise the small intestine and large intestine which are jointly the largest parts of the alimentary tract. The large intestine is made up of the caecum, colon and rectum. IBD mainly affects the colon and often includes the rectum or ileum, which the last part of the small intestine. Rarely some types of IBD can affect any part of the alimentary tract including the mouth and stomach.
What is Gastritis?
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach wall. This usually starts in the inner lining of the stomach known as the gastric mucosa and eventually penetrates deeper into the underlying layers. Most cases of gastritis are due to infection with the H.pylori (Helicobacter pylori) bacteria or the long term and excessive use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Other factors such as stress and spicy foods may exacerbate the symptoms but do not cause gastritis on its own. Gastritis typically presents with a gnawing pain in the upper abdomen.
