What are the predisposing factors of rectal cancer?

Mondo Health Updated on 2024-02-14

Ms. Li loves meat so much that vegetables and fruits are dispensable to her. After work, she likes to go to barbecue with her colleaguesTreat yourself to good food; In recent months, she has experienced a dull pain in her abdomen and occasional blood in her stool, which she attributes to bleeding from her haemorrhoids, and went to the pharmacy to buy her own medication**.

The blood in the stool did not get better, but became more severe. On this day, as soon as Ms. Li arrived at the door of the company, she fainted in front of her eyes, but fortunately, her colleagues found her in time and sent her to the hospital.

After a comprehensive examination by the doctor, the plasma septin9 gene methylation test was positive, combined with Ms. Li's symptoms, it was suspected to be cancer, so an anal examination was performed, and the results showed a hard bulging mass in the rectum, and further colonoscopy confirmed that she had rectal cancer.

For Ms. Lee, the news came as a bolt from the blue. She used to be young and carefree, ignoring her body's warnings, thinking that she would not have any major problems, and now, the diagnosis of rectal cancer has sounded the alarm bell for her.

The doctor communicated with Ms. LiI learned that Ms. Li prefers high-fat, high-protein foods, rarely consumes vegetables and fruits, sits for a long time, lacks exercise, and does not pay enough attention to disease preventionTherefore, the doctor advised Ms. Li to maintain a healthy diet in her daily life and raise awareness of disease prevention.

Ms. Li began to undergo **, and after the arduous process of surgery and chemotherapy, she gradually welcomed back to a healthy life.

Through Ms. Li's case, we learned that rectal cancer is not easy to detect in the early stage, so we need to pay attention to our health in life. Good eating habits, moderate exercise, and regular medical check-ups are essential to prevent disease. Why is rectal cancer "dragged"? What's the harm?

Rectal cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs at the end of the colon, and it is often described as a disease that is "dragged out" because it has no obvious symptoms in its early stages, causing many patients to ignore the presence of the disease. The following are the common causes of rectal cancer being "dragged" out:

1) It is a hidden symptom:

In the early stages, early-stage rectal cancer is mostly confined to the inside of the intestinal wall and has not yet invaded the lymph nodes and distant organs, so rectal cancer usually has no obvious symptoms or symptoms are non-specific, such as mild bloating, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits. These symptoms are often overlooked or confused with other gastrointestinal problems, so patients often do not seek immediate medical attention.

2) Personal self-examination awareness is not strong

Since there are no obvious symptoms of early rectal cancer, self-examination is essential for early detection of rectal cancer.

A doctor from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University once said that if we keep going for colonoscopy every five years, we can minimize the risk of colorectal cancer.

All in all, rectal cancer is often "dragged" out and detected due to insidious symptoms, lack of awareness of self-screening and socio-cultural factors. Early detection of rectal cancer is essential to improve success rates and prognosis, as well as provide more options. Early detection and prevention of rectal cancer can be improved through measures such as regular screening, increased awareness of self-screening, and healthy lifestyles. At the same time, we also need to pay attention to the body, once these three changes appear, pay attention to the examination.

Rectal cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive system that occurs at the end of the colon, and the early symptoms are not obvious and are easy to be ignored. Before the onset of rectal cancer, the body often has three feelings, which need to be paid attention to and checked in time. Here are these three feelings and their association with rectal cancer:

Part 1: Change in bowel habits

People with rectal cancer often experience changes in bowel habits. Yesmay present with frequent diarrhea, constipation, or alternation; An unusual sensation during bowel movements, such as a feeling that it is not completely empty or that it takes multiple attempts. This feeling of altered bowel habits may be caused by the presence of a tumor leading to narrowing of the intestinal lumen or compression by the tumor.

Second: Changes in the shape and color of the stool

People with rectal cancer may have changes in the shape and color of their stoolsFor example, elongated stools, or mucus, blood, or black stools; This change caused by rectal cancer may be caused by the enlargement of the tumor, which leads to problems with blood transport, and at the same time, it is caused by necrosis of part of the tumor tissue, which leads to ulcer bleeding.

At the same time, the intestinal lumen gradually narrows due to the enlargement of the tumor, squeezing the stool, resulting in a slender stoolWhile these changes don't necessarily mean rectal cancer, it's still important to be vigilant and seek medical attention promptly to rule out potential problems.

Third: abdominal pain and discomfort

People with rectal cancer may experience abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort。This discomfort can occur in various parts of the abdomen, including the left lower quadrant region, because the rectum is located in the left lower abdomen, and the tumor grows in size over time, compressing the intestinal nerves or the tumor infiltrates the surrounding tissues and transmits to the cerebral cortex.

The degree and frequency of abdominal pain can vary depending on the location and size of the tumor. Patients may also feel a feeling of bloating or discomfort in the tummy, which may be related to tumor compression, inflammation, or abnormal movement of the intestines.

The rectal cancer doctor's reminder is based on the fact that many rectal cancer patients experience a longer period of time before seeking medical attention, which can lead to the diagnosis of the disease at an advanced stage. However, if we can notice these three feelings in the body and carry out relevant examinations early, the early detection and success rate of rectal cancer will be greatly improved.

And to prevent rectal cancer, here are some recommended measures:

First, get regular comprehensive medical check-ups, including screening for rectal cancer。For high-risk groups, such as those over 50 years old, who have a family case of rectal cancer, or have inflammatory bowel disease, they should be screened with regular colonoscopies or fecal occult blood tests.

Second, maintain a healthy diet with adequate intake of vegetables, fruits and fiber, and reduce your intake of high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foodsEnter. Participate in regular exercise and control your weight. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol is also one of the important measures to prevent rectal cancer.

Improve self-examination awareness: pay attention to changes in your body, such as bowel habits, the shape and color of stool, abdominal discomfort, etc., and actively seek medical consultation. Always keep an eye on your health, detect abnormalities in time and take necessary measures.

In summary, rectal cancer doctors remind us to pay attention to three sensations in our body: changes in bowel habits, changes in the shape and color of our stools, and abdominal pain and discomfort. These feelings may be related to the occurrence of rectal cancer, suggesting that we need to undergo relevant tests in time. Early detection and prevention of rectal cancer is crucial, and through regular screenings, a healthy lifestyle and increased awareness of self-screening, we can better protect our health.

Because rectal cancer can pose a serious threat to human health. If left undetected, tumour cells may gradually spread to surrounding tissues, lymph nodes, and distant organs, leading to the development of advanced cancer. With the spread of cancer cells, rectal cancer may cause a variety of serious health problems, including anemia, weight loss, physical exhaustion and decreased immune system function, so we need to understand the triggers of colorectal cancer and prevent it in our lives to avoid the occurrence of rectal cancer.

Rectal cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs at the end of the colon, and its occurrence is affected by a variety of factors. The following are the main predisposing factors for rectal cancer:

Poor lifestyle is closely related to the risk of rectal cancer

Unhealthy habits such as sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are all associated with the development of rectal cancer. Long-term sedentary life can lead to weakened bowel motility and an increased risk of abnormal bowel motility and tissue irritationStudies have shown that high-intensity physical activity and moderate aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of rectal cancer.

Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are mainly caused by damaging the structure of DNA, causing cells to become cancerous, and in 2022, 15 patients in Canada were found to have rectal cancer through a comparison of 7,000 new cancer cases.

Genetic factors play an important role in the occurrence of rectal cancer

People with a family history have a higher risk of developing rectal cancer. Genetic diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and familial rectal cancer syndrome (FCS) are high-risk factors for rectal cancer. These diseases are associated with mutations in specific genes that increase the incidence of rectal cancer. For people with a family history, regular colonoscopy is an important strategy to prevent rectal cancer.

Unhealthy eating habits

Dietary habits play an important role in the occurrence of rectal cancer. A diet high in fat and cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer. High intake of red meat, such as beef and pork, and processed meat products, such as sausages and luncheon meat, is associated with an increased risk of rectal cancer.

Conversely, a high-fiber diet (including vegetables, fruits, and whole grains) and adequate intake of nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, and folate can reduce the risk of rectal cancer.

Intestinal diseases

Some intestinal diseases may also be associated with the development of rectal cancer. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are risk factors for rectal cancer. A long-term inflammatory response can lead to abnormal proliferation and carcinogenesis of intestinal cells. Other intestinal pathologies such as polyps, adenomas, and multiple polyposis are also associated with the development of rectal cancer.

In conclusion, through Ms. Li's case, we have learned that rectal cancer is not easy to be detected, so we need to pay attention to the risk of rectal cancer due to poor lifestyle, genetic factors, unhealthy diet, intestinal diseases and environmental factors.

Therefore, the risk of rectal cancer can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a good diet, regularly checking for genetic mutations associated with family history, preventing intestinal diseases, and reducing environmental exposure。Focusing on these triggers can help people raise awareness of rectal cancer and take the necessary precautions to protect their health.

References:

1.Ding Wei, Xie Xiaofan, Wang Shuo. Current status and progress of rectal cancer[J].Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology, 2019, 35(4): 1055-1059

2.Li Haiwang, Zhang Jinqin. Early diagnosis of rectal cancer and**J].Chinese Journal of Clinical Medical Imaging, 2017, 28(5): 642-646

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