|
|
Overview
Bowel Cancer
The second most common cancer affecting the UK population is cancer
of the bowel. If detected at an early stage, it is more curable than
others but unfortunately many patients leave it too late before consulting
a doctor. Part of the reason why this is the case was put bluntly by
Prince Charles who said that "bowels and bottoms" were not generally
the subject of conversation in most areas of the population, and therefore,
the possibility that something may not be right with this area is not
openly discussed.
The incidence increases with age and is more common in the over 50s.
The risk is about 1:50 and the familial incidence increase of one other
member of the family has it. There is not doubt that our diet has something
to do with the causation. Those whose diet is high in meat and animal
fats are more liable to develop it; whereas in African and Asian populations,
were the intake of fibre is high, the incidence is low.
There is also no doubt that molecular genetic abnormalities can be incremented
and as studies are much in vogue more precise details will be determined
in the near future.
Adenomatous polyps (benign polyps) are commonly found in the intestine;
about 10% of the population have them. These do carry the risk of a
change from the benign state to the malignant and this has been related
to the size of the benign polyp, ie the larger it is the greater the
risk. There is a condition, Familial Adenomatous poluposis (FAP) in
which the intestine is found to have hundreds of polyps. Prophylactic
coleatomy is offered in young adulthood.
If undiscovered, the tumour is proceeds to involve the intestinal wall,
the blood and lymphatic systems. This means that eventually the liver
may become involved. Unhappily, many cases reach this stage before being
recognised.
What, therefore, must you look out for in your general health to alert
you to the possibility of having a bowel tumour?
a.
If your bowel rhythm changes for no apparent reason, that might indicate
a bowel problem. Many people believe that to obtain good health the
bowel has to be activated on a daily basis, even to the point of using
laxatives. This is not the case that most people know what to expect
from their bowel habit. If that changes then it should be looked at.
b.
If blood is noticed in associated with a bowel movement that is
abnormal. however, it could be from a simple cause, such as haemorrhoids,
where the blood coats the motion. It the blood is intimately mixed with
the stool and happens regularly, then that is another reason for attention.
Other symptoms, such as colicky type abdominal paid can occur. this
probably being caused by the muscular wall of the intestine contracting
in relation to a tumour present in the wall. However, this type of abdominal
discomfort is common and does not mean that a cancer is present. On
feeling the abdomen a mass can sometimes be felt in the right side,
the side in which the appendix is usually located.
It cannot be stressed too strongly that if these symptoms are acted
upon and on subsequent investigation a tumour is found, then the chances
of a cure is high.
The investigation involves a barium xray examination which will usually
reveal the problem (ba enema).
Blood tests are also carried out, as with the constant loss of blood,
via the bowel, the patient will become anaemic. Blood tests will also
show whether the function of the liver has been impaired. If this is
discovered to be the case, that would indicate that the malignant cells
have passed to the liver, thereby markedly reducing the possibility
of cure by surgical removal of the tumour.
Fortunately, patients are now becoming aware of the facts in this particular
area and as the Government has now expressed the will to set up diagnostic
clinics this should make the existing facilities more efficient in early
detection. It cannot be stressed more strongly that early detection
is imperative to offer the prospect of a cure and that it would be wise
to seek advice should you develop one or other of the previously described
warning symptoms.
 |
|
