In Québec, colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon cancer, is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and the 3rd among women. This cancer forms in the rectum or colon (large intestine). It usually develops on polyps. Polyps are small masses of flesh that look like warts. They grow on the inner lining of the large intestine.
Polyps can be benign (harmless), or they can develop into cancer. It can take years for a polyp to develop into a cancer.
Symptoms
Colorectal cancer generally develops slowly, without any apparent symptoms. If symptoms appear, they may be manifested in the following ways:
Persistent change in bowel habits:
Diarrhea or constipation
A feeling of incomplete stool evacuation
Unusual pain during stool evacuation
Abdominal pain or discomfort, such as stomach aches, flatulence and bloating
Blood in stools (black or bright red stools)
Bleeding after stool evacuation
Inexplicable weight loss
Extreme fatigue
Consulting a doctor
If you present one of the symptoms described for some time, you should consult a doctor. However, these symptoms may not necessarily be due to a cancer. Other health problems can also be the cause.
Treatment
When someone is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a team specialised in oncology establishes a personalised treatment plan with the patient. This treatment plan may vary depending on different elements, such as the type of cancer, the stage, and the patient’s general health. The treatment plan also takes into account the wishes and concerns of the person affected and those of his or her family.
When cancer affects the large intestine, the main treatment options are surgery and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy may be prescribed to treat rectal cancer. The doctor may prescribe one, or a combination of these treatments.
Protection and prevention
Healthy lifestyle
The best way to reduce your risk of getting colorectal cancer is by living a healthy lifestyle:
Avoid smoking
Do at least 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical exercise a day
Maintain good eating habits:
Limited alcohol consumption
Limit intake of red meat and processed meats (bacon, sausage, salami, etc.)
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and fibres
Opt for whole grains
Maintain a healthy weight
Screening
Colorectal cancer screening aims to detect cancer at an early stage, before signs and symptoms of the disease appear. The chances of a successful treatment are best in that period.
Screening is mostly for people at average risk. It is recommended that people between the age of 50 and 74 at average risk (without symptoms and other risk factors) get screens for colorectal cancer every 2 years.
Age is the most common determining factor for colorectal cancer. The risk of having colorectal cancer increases from the age of 50. From the age of 50, everyone is at some risk of having colorectal cancer. This is referred to as an ‘average risk’.
Higher risk
Regardless of their age, some people are more at risk than others of developing colorectal cancer. This is particularly the case for people:
Who have already had colorectal cancer
Whose father, mother, brother, sister or child has had colorectal cancer
Who have had colorectal polyps
Who suffer from certain diseases of the intestines such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
Who have certain hereditary diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis
People at high risk of developing colorectal cancer must consult a health professional. The health professional determines the screening method according to each person’s specific condition.
A few statistics
In Canada, about 1 in 14 people will develop colorectal cancer over the course of their life
Each year, approximately 6,800 Québecois are diagnosed with colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in people aged 50 to 74
Approximately 2,550 people die from colorectal cancer every year in Québec
Nearly 95% of colorectal cancer cases are manifested after 50 years of age
