March On For
Colorectal Cancer Awareness

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and it presents an empowering opportunity to educate more people about this leading cancer. According to estimates, 149,500 people will be diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer in 2021 — and that is just in the United States¹. In Singapore, Colorectal Cancer is the top cancer in men and second in women according to figures from the National Registry of Diseases Office (NRDO)².

In the latest report compiled by the NRDO in 2019, it was also revealed that more than 9,800 new cases in total were diagnosed between 2011 and 2015. Yet not many are aware of the fundamental facts of Colorectal Cancer – one of the most detectable, preventable and curable forms of cancer.

Colorectal Cancer refers to a malignant tumour that starts as a polyp along the inner wall of the colon or rectum. Since polyps generally take years to become cancerous, regular screening using Colonoscopy can intercept their development by removing them before they become cancerous. While not all polyps turn cancerous, it is not possible to tell which ones will and which ones will not. Therefore, these growths are routinely removed during Colonoscopy.

Another reason why screening is critical is because there are often no warning signs in the polyp stage and even in the early stages of Colorectal Cancer. Certainly, one should seek treatment and not ignore a change in bowel habits, such as persistent or alternating patterns of diarrhoea or constipation, a change in the frequency of stools, unexplained weight loss and the presence of blood in stools.

In view of rising trend of young Colorectal Cancer patients, below the age of 50 years old, the American Cancer Society now recommends that people at average risk for Colorectal Cancer should begin screening at age 45 years³. If your family has a medical history of Colorectal Cancer or precancerous polyps, speak with your doctor about screening early. The math works like this: Take the age of the youngest affected relative when they were diagnosed with polyps or cancer. Subtract 10 years from that number and that is the age when you should start screening or from 45 years old, whichever is earlier. For example, if your father had cancer at 52 years old, you should consider beginning Colonoscopy at age 42 years.

There is no sure way to completely prevent cancer. But there are things you can do that might help lower your risk. A balanced and holistic approach is recommended: Adopt a healthy diet by incorporating all food groups in moderation, stay active through regular exercise and most importantly, go for regular screening.

Watch more of Dr Mark Wong’s videos and gain insights at https://www.markwongsurgery.com/media/videos/

Sources:

¹ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
² https://www.nrdo.gov.sg/publications/cancer
³ https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/american-cancer-society-updates-colorectal-cancer-screening-guideline.html