Colorectal Cancer

Colorectum (colon and rectum, the large bowel, or large intestine) is the last portion of the digestive system. It consists of the colon, the rectum and the anus. Once food has been swallowed, it passes down the oesophagus to the stomach and into the small bowel. The food is digested and essential nutrients are absorbed into the body. The undigested food residues then enter the large bowel and water is absorbed. The remaining waste matter, stool, is held in the rectum until it is ready to be passed from the body as a bowel motion. In normal circumstances, the body controls the growth and division of its cells, in order to ensure that all organs function properly. Under the influence of environmental factors and genetic factors, Colorectal Cancer could develop from abnormal growth of cells on the wall of the large bowel. Most Colorectal Cancers begin as a small polyp. Polyps are usually benign, but some may gradually grow into cancer. The development of a polyp into cancer may take more than several years.

Risk Factors associated with Colorectal Cancer

The definite causes of Colorectal Cancer is still unknown at present. Studies have found risk factors associated with Colorectal Cancer: Dietary: High consumption in animal fat / protein or red and processed meat; low fibre intake Lifestyle: Lack of physical exercise, Obesity, Alcohol consumption or smoking Personal medical history: History of colonic polyps, history of chronic inflammation of the bowel disease, e.g. ulcerative colitis Family medical history: History of Colorectal Cancer or polyps in 1st degree relative (parents, siblings or children) Carriers of mutated gene of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)

Common Symptoms

Change in frequency of bowel movement Diarrhoea or constipation of recent onset Passing blood in stool Persistent lower abdominal pain Feeling of incomplete evacuation

Prevention

Balanced Diet: Eat more foods rich in fibre, such as whole-grains, beans, fruits and vegetables or decrease consumption of red meat and processed meat Regular Exercise Avoid excessive alcohol drinking Avoid smoking Regular body check

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Screening means examining people without symptoms in order to detect disease or identify people at high risk of disease. It is often the first step in making a definitive diagnosis. The purpose of colorectal cancer screening is to identify people who may develop or have developed Colorectal Cancer before they have any symptoms, so that treatment could be commenced earlier.

*The articles under Health Corner are for general information only and are not treat as medical opinions

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectum (colon and rectum, the large bowel, or large intestine) is the last portion of the digestive system. It consists of the colon, the rectum and the anus. Once food has been swallowed, it passes down the oesophagus to the stomach and into the small bowel. The food is digested and essential nutrients are absorbed into the body. The undigested food residues then enter the large bowel and water is absorbed. The remaining waste matter, stool, is held in the rectum until it is ready to be passed from the body as a bowel motion. In normal circumstances, the body controls the growth and division of its cells, in order to ensure that all organs function properly. Under the influence of environmental factors and genetic factors, Colorectal Cancer could develop from abnormal growth of cells on the wall of the large bowel. Most Colorectal Cancers begin as a small polyp. Polyps are usually benign, but some may gradually grow into cancer. The development of a polyp into cancer may take more than several years.

Risk Factors associated with Colorectal Cancer

The definite causes of Colorectal Cancer is still unknown at present. Studies have found risk factors associated with Colorectal Cancer: Dietary: High consumption in animal fat / protein or red and processed meat; low fibre intake Lifestyle: Lack of physical exercise, Obesity, Alcohol consumption or smoking Personal medical history: History of colonic polyps, history of chronic inflammation of the bowel disease, e.g. ulcerative colitis Family medical history: History of Colorectal Cancer or polyps in 1st degree relative (parents, siblings or children) Carriers of mutated gene of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)

Common Symptoms

Change in frequency of bowel movement Diarrhoea or constipation of recent onset Passing blood in stool Persistent lower abdominal pain Feeling of incomplete evacuation

Prevention

Balanced Diet: Eat more foods rich in fibre, such as whole-grains, beans, fruits and vegetables or decrease consumption of red meat and processed meat Regular Exercise Avoid excessive alochol drinking Avoid smoking Regular body check

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Screening means examining people without symptoms in order to detect disease or identify people at high risk of disease. It is often the first step in making a definitive diagnosis. The purpose of colorectal cancer screening is to identify people who may develop or have developed Colorectal Cancer before they have any symptoms, so that treatment could be commenced earlier.

*The articles under Health Corner are for general information only and are not treat as medical opinions

Risk Factors associated with Gastric Cancer

The cause of Gastric Cancer is still unknown at present. Many factors may lead to Gastric Cancer, research shows that Helicobacter pylori infection may increase the risk of Gastric Cancer, risk factors for associated with Gastric Cancer include: Gender: chance of stomach cancer for male is double of that of female Age: the older the age, the higher chance of stomach cancer. The chance is even higher after 50 Diet: consumption of high-salted, pickled and smoked foods Diseases: people who have stomach polyps, had gastrectomy (stomach resection operation) or pernicious anaemia (anaemia resulted from deficiency of vitamin B) Smoking: Smokers Genetic: people whose immediate family members have stomach cancer history

Common Symptoms

Indigestion, upper abdominal pain or discomfort Symptoms of anaemia, e.g. dizziness, tiredness and pale appearance Vomiting of blood/ clot or passage of black stool

Prevention

We can apply the General cancer preventive diet principles in diet, which includes: More fresh fruits and vegetables: Vegetables in brassicaceae (such as broccoli, Chinese cabbage, kale, etc.); vegetables containing rich carotene (such as carrot, mango, papaya, etc.); food containing rich vitamin C (such as orange, grapefruit, strawberry, etc.) Lesser high salt foods: Pickled and smoked foods (e.g. Chinese sausage, sausage, bacon, etc.) or Deep-fried foods. Be aware of personal hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching excrement or vomit, preventing infection of helicobacter pylori

*The articles under Health Corner are for general information only and are not treat as medical opinions

Bladder Cancer

The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores and excretes urine. Bladder cancer is a consequence of abnormal cell activity that first appears in the innermost layer of the bladder. They will subsequently spread to the muscular wall of the bladder and other parts of the body.

Risk Factors associated with Bladder cancer

The cause of bladder cancer is still uncertain. However, some of the risk factors associated with Bladder Cancer include: Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking is the common known risk factor in particulars with bladder cancer Age and Gender: Bladder cancer occurs most commonly between 50 and 70 years of age and is more common in male than in female Personal Medical History: People with bladder problems or cystitis Family history of bladder cancer: particularly in close relatives (parents, siblings or children) People having frequent contact with chemicals that are used in dye factories, rubber, leather, paint, print, petrol and other organic chemical industries People with habit of holding back urine

Common Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of bladder cancer are identical to those of cystitis, bladder stone or kidney stone. Blood in the urine (haematuria), this may not cause pain It may occur every now and then If the situation gets worse, blood clots may appear in the urine with pain on passing urine or even unable to urinate If the tumour erodes the neck of the bladder, urinary frequency and have difficulty in urinating or inability to pass urine (retention) may occur

Prevention

Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoking Eat lesser preserved food or food with preservatives Drink more water Eat more fruit and green vegetables Avoid contacting dyes and organic solutions Preventive measures for whom working in textile, dyeing, leather, chemical, agricultural and printing industries, such as wearing gloves, masks and reain shoes, etc. Regular checkups

*The articles under Health Corner are for general information only and are not treat as medical opinions

Bladder Cancer

The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores and excretes urine. Bladder cancer is a consequence of abnormal cell activity that first appears in the innermost layer of the bladder. They will subsequently spread to the muscular wall of the bladder and other parts of the body.

Risk Factors associated with Bladder cancer

The cause of bladder cancer is still uncertain. However, some of the risk factors associated with Bladder Cancer include: Lifestyle: Cigarette smoking is the common known risk factor in particulars with bladder cancer Age and Gender: Bladder cancer occurs most commonly between 50 and 70 years of age and is more common in male than in female Personal Medical History: People with bladder problems or cystitis Family history of bladder cancer: particularly in close relatives (parents, siblings or children) People having frequent contact with chemicals that are used in dye factories, rubber, leather, paint, print, petrol and other organic chemical industries People with habit of holding back urine

Common Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of bladder cancer are identical to those of cystitis, bladder stone or kidney stone. Blood in the urine (haematuria), this may not cause pain It may occur every now and then If the situation gets worse, blood clots may appear in the urine with pain on passing urine or even unable to urinate If the tumour erodes the neck of the bladder, urinary frequency and have difficulty in urinating or inability to pass urine (retention) may occur

Prevention

Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoking Eat lesser preserved food or food with preservatives Drink more water Eat more fruit and green vegetables Avoid contacting dyes and organic solutions Preventive measures for whom working in textile, dyeing, leather, chemical, agricultural and printing industries, such as wearing gloves, masks and reain shoes, etc. Regular checkups

*The articles under Health Corner are for general information only and are not treat as medical opinions

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer in general develops slowly, without obvious clinical symptom in the early stage with minimal urinary symptom. Late diagnosis at the intermediate to advanced stage will result in less favorable outcomes.

Risk Factors associated with Prostate Cancer

The cause of Prostate cancer is still unknown. However, some of the risk factors associated with Prostate cancer include: Age and Gender: age over 50, Male and ethicality Family History: males with family history of prostate cancer Diet: prolonged intake of foods with high calorie and high fat Lifestyle: smoking, over-weight and prostate diseases

Common Symptoms

The symptoms below are very similar to those of benign prostate enlargement, you should consult your doctor for diagnosis: Sense of urgency before passing urine Difficulty in passing urine Pain on passing urine or blood in the urine Inability to urinate or weak, interrupted flow Passing urine more frequently than usual, including at night Frequent pain in the lower back, hips and upper thighs

Prevention

To prevent prostate cancer, we should maintain a healthy life styles and eating habits. For example, food with high fiber and low fat can help to prevent or delay the occurrence of prostate cancer: Limit the intake of animal fat and meat (especially red meat) Eat more bean and related products Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits

*The articles under Health Corner are for general information only and are not treat as medical opinions