Colorectal Cancer: Know the signs to watch for

Perianal disease takes many forms and it is very common and can impair quality of life significantly. The symptoms of perianal disease, including pain, bleeding, discharge and pruritus, lumps in anus are common to several conditions including rectal cancer, says Dr. Indika Ramanayake, Consultant General Surgeon, Hemas Hospital Thalawathugoda.

Explaining altered bowel habits and perianal pain/discomfort, he noted that it is crucial to identify the causes of perianal symptoms and for patients to seek medical advice from specialist doctors and treatment from hospitals without neglecting it due to shyness.

Following is the excerpts of an interview with Dr. Ramanayake who is an expert in this field

Could you define what is meant by “a change in bowel habits”?

It can mean almost any changes of your normal bowel habits, including a change in frequency, consistency (diarrhea or constipation) or in caliber of the stools. Bowel habits can vary from person to person.

This includes how often you have a bowel movement, your control over when you have a bowel movement, and the bowel movement’s consistency and colour. Alterations in any aspect of these habits over the course of a day represent a change in bowel habits.

While change of bowel habits can represent temporary infections, others may indicate greater cause for concern. Knowing when to seek medical help can prevent an emergency condition from worsening.

What is inflammatory

bowel disease? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is mainly related to two conditions: Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. These are longterm conditions that involve inflammation of the bowel. Ulcerative Colitis only affects the colon ( large intestine); Crohn’s Disease can affect both the small bowel and large bowel.

Could you explain the common ailments relating to perianal pain?

Common cases are given above, however, it may be also due to rectal cancer.

An anal fissure is a tear in the skin around the opening of the anus that can cause intense pain, especially when opening the bowels.

The wound that occurs in the anal passage is temporary. However, the pain is severe especially during or after a bowel movement, most often accompanied by bleeding.

Fissures are also linked to constipation where straining on hard stools can tear the skin of the anus.

For acute fissures, treatment includes medication to relieve patients of pain. This may come in the form of local aesthetic gels/ paste or painkillers (tablet or local application). Or laxatives to make stools soft so that the patient doesn’t strain in defecation.

Hemorrhoids ( piles) is a common condition. It can be a hereditary tendency, or due to poor toilet and dietary habits. Sufferers may experience bleeding and discomfort in the anus. However, some rectal cancers can present with hemorrhoids.

What are the early signs of

colon cancer?

Change in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation, or a change in the consistency of your stool, rectal bleeding or blood in stools, and/or sense of incomplete evacuation.

If Colorectal cancers are diagnosed early and treated, the fiveyear survival rate is very high.

Colorectal cancer usually begins as a polyp, a nonspecific term to describe a growth on the inner surface of the colon. Polyps are often non-cancerous growths but some can develop into cancer.