Systemic drugs such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are often used. Chemotherapy drugs affect rapidly dividing cells and kill cancerous ones. Targeted therapy drugs target specific molecules within cells. Patients with advanced stage cancer often receive a combination of therapies.
The symptoms of cancer of the bowel vary, and the cause of each individual case varies from person to person. In the early stages, the patient may have a change in bowel habits or experience abdominal pain. However, these symptoms do not necessarily indicate bowel cancer, and they are more significant when they persist. Patients with bowel disease and age are at a higher risk of developing the disease. In addition, people with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to develop bowel cancer.
Many people are at increased risk of developing bowel cancer, including those with a strong family history. Some bowel conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, or a family history of colon cancer, can also increase your risk. However, more than half of all cases of bowel cancer are preventable by making healthy lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking, staying active, and losing weight are all good ways to reduce your risk. Eating more fruit and veg, choosing wholegrain foods over processed food, and reducing alcohol intake are all beneficial.
While colorectal cancer can be detected early, bowel cancer symptoms may appear even in people who have not received a recommended screening. If you have noticed these symptoms and are not sure whether you have cancer of the bowel, make an appointment with a doctor. The doctor will examine your history and ask about the frequency and duration of the symptoms. Your doctor will also order a blood test if the cancer has spread to the rectum or the colon.
If you notice blood in your stool, seek medical attention immediately. Blood in your stool is a sign of colorectal cancer, but some people have hemorrhoids, ulcers, or Crohn’s disease. These symptoms may be triggered by dietary changes, but it is important to have your doctor check it out. A blood test may reveal that you are suffering from hemorrhoids. A blood test may also reveal a low red blood cell count, which can also be a sign of cancer in the bowel.
While colon cancer grows slowly and may not cause symptoms for a long time, it can spread to distant organs. Early detection is essential to prevent the disease from progressing to the distant organs. The best way to detect colon cancer is to undergo a regular exam. If the disease has spread from the colon, it may have already metastasized elsewhere. A diagnosis of stage four cancer requires a biopsy. For stage three, cancer has already spread to one to three lymph nodes.
