Rectal Cancer

Rectal Cancer

Colo-rectal Cancer

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Did you know that your large intestine—which includes the colon and rectum—helps digest food and remove waste from your body?
 Colorectal cancer starts in these areas. It often begins as small, harmless growths called polyps. Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer if they aren’t found and removed early.

💭 Have you or someone you know ever had a colonoscopy to check for polyps? Regular tests can catch these changes before they become serious!

📊 How Common Is It?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It can affect both men and women, especially those over 50. However, more young adults are now being diagnosed too.
 The good news? Screening tests can prevent it or catch it early — when treatment works best.

Most cases are a type called adenocarcinoma, which starts in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Other, rarer types include carcinoid tumors, GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumors), and lymphomas.

⚠️ Causes and Risk Factors

Colorectal cancer happens when certain genes in your cells change, causing them to grow uncontrollably. But several factors can increase your risk.

Common Risk Factors:

• Age: Most people diagnosed are over 50.
   
• Family history: Having relatives with colorectal cancer or genetic conditions like Lynch syndrome or FAP can raise your risk.
   
• Diet: Eating too much red or processed meat and not enough fiber.
   
• Lack of exercise: Sitting too much and not staying active.
   
• Obesity: Being overweight.
   
• Smoking and alcohol: Both can harm your digestive system over time.
   
• Inflammatory bowel diseases: Such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
   

💡 Which of these risk factors do you think you could improve in your daily life? Small changes can make a big difference!

💪 Prevention Tips

Here are some simple ways to protect yourself:

• Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
   
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
   
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
   
• Get regular screening tests (like a colonoscopy).
   
• See your doctor if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or digestive problems that don’t go away.
   

🔍 Early Detection and Symptoms

Colorectal cancer often grows silently in the beginning — many people don’t feel any symptoms. That’s why screening is so important!

Possible Symptoms Include:

• Changes in bowel habits (like diarrhea or constipation that lasts a while)
   
• Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
   
• Stomach pain, bloating, or cramps
   
• Unexplained tiredness or weight loss
   

If any of these sound familiar, it’s best to talk to your doctor.

Dr. Bharat uses advanced diagnostic tools to confirm and understand each case.

Common Tests:

• Colonoscopy: The best way to find and remove polyps early.
   
• Biopsy: Examines a small tissue sample for cancer cells.
   
• Imaging tests: CT, MRI, PET-CT, and ultrasound scans to see if cancer has spread.
   
• Blood tests: Including tumor markers like CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen).
   

Once diagnosed, doctors stage the cancer from Stage I (early) to Stage IV (advanced) depending on how far it has spread.

🎯 Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cancer’s stage, location, and your overall health.
 A Experts of—including radiation oncologists, surgeons, and medical oncologists — work together to create a plan just for you.

1. Surgery

Usually the first step for early-stage cancer. The surgeon removes the cancerous part and nearby lymph nodes.
 Modern techniques like laparoscopic or robotic surgery help patients recover faster with less pain.

2. Radiation Therapy

Radiation uses powerful beams to destroy cancer cells. It can be given:

• Before surgery to shrink tumors.
   
• After surgery to kill any remaining cells.
   
• To relieve pain or symptoms in advanced cases.
   

Dr. Bharat Dua uses cutting-edge methods for high precision and fewer side effects:

• SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy): Targets tumors with high accuracy.
   
• IORT (Intraoperative Radiotherapy): Gives radiation during surgery.
   
• Interstitial Brachytherapy: Places a tiny radioactive source near the tumor for focused treatment.
   

3. Chemotherapy

Uses special medicines to kill cancer cells that may have spread. It’s often combined with surgery or radiation.

4. Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy

For advanced cancers, these treatments attack specific cancer cell mechanisms or boost your immune system to fight the disease.

💖 Life After Treatment

Treatment is just one part of the journey — recovery and follow-up are equally important.

Aftercare may include:

• Regular blood tests and scans to check recovery.
   
• Colonoscopies to spot new polyps.
   
• Nutrition guidance to keep your digestion healthy.
   
• Physical therapy and emotional support to regain confidence.
   

Dr. Bharat believes true cancer care goes beyond medicine. His approach includes education, emotional well-being, and long-term follow-up to help every patient live a healthy, fulfilling life.

💬 Have you thought about what steps you can take today to protect your gut health? Sometimes, awareness is the first step toward prevention.