Most Effective Treatment for Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a serious disease, but it is also a preventable and treatable one. If you are at risk, make sure to get screened regularly. And if you are diagnosed with this disease, know that there are several effective treatment options available. However, the colorectal cancer treatment will depend on how early the cancer is detected. To understand the most effective treatment, let’s understand the disease better.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for colorectal cancer, including age, lifestyle, family history, and certain medical conditions. Age is the risk factor with a majority of cases occurring in people over the age of 50. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise can also increase the risk of this cancer. Family history is another risk factor, as people with a family member who has had colorectal cancer are more likely to develop it themselves. Finally, certain medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease can also increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

There are several lifestyle changes you can make to prevent colorectal cancer, including maintaining a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, avoiding processed meats and high-fat foods, and regular exercise. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. 

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Also, avoid smoking, if you currently smoke. Quitting is the best way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer. Screenings are especially important for people with a family history of colorectal cancer, as they can help to catch cancer early. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Treatment

If you have colorectal cancer, there are several treatment options available. These include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The type of cancer treatment that is best for you will depend on the stage of cancer and your overall health.

Endoscopic Treatment

Endoscopic treatment for colorectal cancer is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a long, thin tube with a light and camera attached to it to examine the inside of the colon. This type of procedure is used to diagnose and treat various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including colorectal cancer. 

In some cases, endoscopic treatment may be all that is needed to treat cancer. In other cases, it may be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as surgery or chemotherapy.

Surgery

Surgery is one of the treatments for colorectal cancer. Depending on the stage of cancer, the surgeon may remove the cancerous tumour along with a margin of healthy tissue. The surgeon may also remove lymph nodes near the tumour to check for cancer spread. 

Chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy is often the first line of treatment for colorectal cancer. The drugs used in the treatment kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Chemotherapy is usually given for 6 to 12 months. 

The length of treatment depends on the type and stage of cancer, as well as the person’s overall health. However, there are side effects of chemotherapy that can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, and low blood counts. These side effects usually go away after treatment is over. Chemotherapy can be a difficult treatment to go through, but it is often very effective in treating colorectal cancer.

Radiation Therapy 

Radiation therapy is a treatment for colorectal cancer. It uses high-energy beams such as x-rays to kill cancer cells. The therapy can be given externally by aiming the beams at cancer from outside the body or internally by placing radioactive material in the tumour. 

Radiation therapy is usually given in a series of treatments called fractions. The total dose is divided into smaller doses, which are given over several weeks. The side effects of radiation therapy may include fatigue, diarrhoea, and skin changes. These side effects are usually temporary and will go away after treatment is completed.

Colorectal cancer is a serious disease, but it is also a preventable and treatable one. If you are at risk, make sure to get screened regularly. And if you are diagnosed with it, know that there are several effective treatment options available and consult the best oncologist in Delhi for treatment.