Colon and rectum are the last part of our digestive tract, and together they constitute the so-called large intestine. It has the shape of a long tube, that absorbs the water and nutrients in the food we eat. Moreover, it is the place where excrements form.

The large intestine is also the target of the colorectal cancer, that originates in preexisting intestinal polyps (tiny, abnormal growths of tissue). The tumor forms when some cells in the inner walls of the large intestine grow in an uncontrolled way. Thus originating benign polyps, may become malignant structures.

The Importance of Colonoscopy

Screening tests, such as the search for faecal occult blood and colonoscopy, allow an early detection of intestinal polyps and their removal before they turn into tumors, thus reducing mortality by 20%.

“Colonoscopy is one of the most effective diagnostic methods in preventing tumors. In fact, colorectal cancer is the third by incidence in men and the second one in women. Doing a colonoscopy as part of the screening programme reduces by 90% the risk of developing this tumor. Humanitas actively involves in the development of these prevention programs for colorectal cancer. The center offers tests with sedation, breakthrough tools, and a multidisciplinary approach that allows a modern, fast management of the diseases, that are diagnosed during colonoscopies”, as Professor Alessandro Repici, supervisor of Digestive Endoscopy at Humanitas, explains.

Who is Affected?

In men, colorectal cancer has the third highest incidence after lung cancer and prostate cancer. In women, it is less frequent than breast cancer alone, that is at the first place by incidence.

This cancer may appear at every age, but it is more likely in people older than 50 years of age (90% of the cases) and it is fairly rare in young people.

According to a new US study conducted by the American Cancer Society, analyzing the incidence based on the patients’ year of birth, colorectal cancer is more frequent in young generations. One of the authors compared people of the same age in different generations, and concluded that the risk of colon cancer for people born in 1990 has doubled, compared to the risk for people born in 1950. The risk is even quadruple for rectum cancer, but the reasons are still to be ascertained.

It is important to highlight, that young people are more likely to miss an early diagnose for this cancer, because they often underestimate the possibility of having this neoplasm.

It is also possible for you to inherit this cancer if there are cases of diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis and Crohn’s disease in your family. Moreover, the risk of developing this cancer is higher for people with first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, offspring) that are already affected by this neoplasm.

What are the Symptoms?

Colorectal cancer may be asymptomatic for a long time. The first signs of its presence are blood in the stool (in fact, polyps tend to bleed) and a constant alteration in the intestinal activity (for instance, constipation).

In its advanced stages, more symptoms appear:

  • pain in the abdomen
  • nausea and vomit
  • constant stimulus to evacuate
  • fast and unjustified loss of weight
  • anemia
  • extreme tiredness

What are the Causes?

The causes of this cancer are still unclear. However, the interaction between genetic factors and environmental factors, such as nutrition, seems to be the main reason.

In addition to genetic predisposition and the presence of intestinal inflammatory diseases, other risk factors may be:

  • an hypo-caloric diet, rich in animal fats and poor in fiber
  • smoking
  • drinking too many alcoholic drinks
  • obesity
  • insufficient physical exercise