Posts Tagged ‘Risk Factors’

What is the worldwide distribution of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the colon and the rectum i.e. the large intestine. It is also referred to as the colorectal blight or the bowel cancer. Studies have shown that it is the third most popular and death causing cancers in women and the fourth most common and death causing cancer in men. Colorectal cancer is mainly caused due to the abnormal growth of the cells in the inner lining of the colon or the rectum.

There are various risk factors related to the colorectal cancer. These mainly include the age factor, smoking and drinking habits, family history of colorectal cancer, race and gender, obesity and many more.

We know that colorectal cancer is spread worldwide and is very common in almost every country. This article deals with the worldwide distribution of the colorectal cancer. Since the year 1975, the rate of deaths due to colorectal cancer has increased tremendously. From an annual report made for the colorectal cancer it has been seen that the number of men and women suffering from colorectal cancer are almost same with the count of men being approximately 401000 and that of women being 381000. But as seen by the figures the risk of colorectal cancer is more prominent in men than in women.

The threat of colorectal cancer is more in the westernized countries like North America, Australia and New Zealand. The percentage of incident cancer in these countries when combined was found to be 12.6 % in men and 14.1 % in women. In countries like Japan and Miyagi the risk rates of colorectal cancer have grown up to 47 % in women and 92 % in men. Whereas in United State the incidence rate of colorectal have been found to be declining instead of increasing.

An annual study has shown that there have been almost 394000 deaths due to colorectal cancer hence making it the second most common death causing cancers in European countries. But one should remember that this rate is based on the severity of the cancer and progress of the treatment being taken by the colorectal cancer patient. Race also plays a very important role in the growth of colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that Israel people who are born in countries like Europe or United States are at a higher risk of suffering from colorectal cancer. Also African Americans are more prone to colorectal cancer with a percentage of 53 % as compared to other white Americans.

Environment being a major risk factor of colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer is many times referred to as an environmental disease. The environment factor includes components such as social lifestyle, cultural and lifestyle practices. It has been found that approximately 70 % to 80 % of colorectal cancer cases in many countries are due to the environmental factors mentioned above.

The incidence rates per 100000 of colorectal cancer in various countries are as follows:
France- 53.8
Italy- 49.9
United States- 53.48
Czech Republic- 48.23
Canada (Yukon)-48.98
Canada (Nova Scotia)- 47.84
Israel- 46.79
Australia (New South Wales)- 46.92

These statistics have been provided by the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC). There are many other countries like Croatia, China, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Slovakia, Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark etc which are also prone to colorectal cancer and where the incidence rates have been tremendously increasing every year.

Other less colorectal cancer prone countries include India, Colombia, Turkey, Chile, Kuwait, Costa Rice, Malaysia, Peru, Egypt, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Thailand, Oman, Algeria, Bahrain, Ecuador, Peru and Tunisia.

Although colorectal cancer is spread worldwide but it is less common than other cancers like breast cancer.

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What are different methods for the treatment of colorectal cancer?

An abnormal growth in the organ called the colon, vermiform appendix and rectum gives rise to a cancer called the colorectal cancer. Another name given to colorectal cancer is bowel cancer. Colorectal cancer is commonly symbolized by symptoms like stool passing out with blood, rectal bleeding, haemorrhoids, pale skin, fatigue, abdominal pain, distension of the abdomen, weight loss, nausea, narrow stools and rectal pain.

There are many treatments which can be undergone in order to prevent or cure colorectal cancer. Following are some ways in which colorectal cancer can be treated:

- Surgery
The most common treatment used for curing colorectal cancer is through surgery. Surgery can be of either type: palliative (for reducing the morbidity of the tumour), curative (effective for tumours which are localized), and fecal diversion, open and close or bypass. Although surgery is the most common type of treatment but it can result in some complications also. These complications may include obstruction in bowel caused by adhesions, wound infection, anastomosis breakdown, injury to the adjacent organ, cardio-respiratory complications and many more.

- Chemotherapy
It is a treatment preferred by patients who have undergone the surgery. Chemotherapy is a survival treatment for patients whose cancer has reached a higher stage. This treatment is mainly carried out in stages. After the treatment is done, the patient undergoes a recovery period and then again the treatment is carried on. This is repeated until the patient is relieved from the cancer. Side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, infections, vomiting, nausea, etc.

- Combination regimens
After chemotherapy, if the patient still continues to suffer from the cancer then the patient is treated with combination regimens. This is only carried out if the patient has enough strength to undergo further treatments. These treatments are also called the second line chemotherapy regimen treatments. When the first line chemotherapy treatment does no show much result on the patient then the second line treatment called Panitumumab is given to the patient. This treatment is given mostly in the extreme stages of the colorectal cancer.

- Radiation therapy
It can also be used for the treatment of the colorectal cancer. The cancerous cells are exposed to high energy radiations and as a result they are killed by these radiations. Radiation therapy is mostly given after the surgery i.e. in conjunction with the surgery. It is mostly effective in curing the pain, blockage and bleeding caused due to the colorectal cancer. There are various types of radiation therapies which are given to the cancer patient. These radiation therapies include External Beam Therapy (EBT), and Brachy therapy.

- Other Surgeries
There are many other surgeries available for the treatment of colorectal cancer. These surgeries include Laparoscopic surgery which is also known as the keyhole surgery. In this surgery a camera is inserted into the abdomen to see the inner part of the abdomen. The surgeon then analysis the problem and works on its treatment. Partial colectomy is another surgery which can be performed on the colorectal cancer patient. In this surgery a healthy colon is connected in place of the diseased colon. This surgery is also called the partial bowel resection.

- Other Treatments
Other treatments which are not very commonly used to cure the colorectal cancer are the cancer vaccine, the immunotherapy, support therapies, treatment of the liver metastases and palliative care.

Colorectal cancer is a cancer which stands on the third number in the list of cancers. It is very dangerous if not treated in proper time and can also cause a threat to life. Mostly people with a hereditary problem of colorectal cancer, and older age are more likely to develop the colorectal cancer.