Colorectal cancer
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What is colorectal cancer?
- The colon and the rectum are the final sections of the digestive tract and are often referred to as the bowel1
- Colorectal cancer is a general term for cancer that begins in either the colon or the rectum1
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Types of colorectal cancer
- There are several types of colorectal cancer, which are named after the cells in which they start2
- Over 95% of colorectal cases are of a type known as adenocarcinoma1,2
- Other, far less common, types include squamous cell cancers, carcinoid tumours, sarcomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumours, and lymphomas of the digestive system1,2
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Who gets colorectal cancer?
- Colorectal cancer mostly affects people over the age of 60 years3,4
- Obesity, smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, a diet high in processed meats, and physical inactivity may increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer4
- People with a close family history of colorectal cancer are more likely to get it themselves3,4
- Suffering from a bowel condition such as Crohn disease or irritable bowel syndrome increases your risk of colorectal cancer3,4
- It is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide5
- 1.4 million new cases were diagnosed worldwide in 20125
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Screening, detection, and diagnosis
- Screening using methods such as stool tests and sigmoidoscopy can detect colorectal cancer early 6,7
- The first tests used to diagnose colorectal cancer are digital rectal examination and sigmoidoscopy; a biopsy may be taken during the sigmoidoscopy procedure8
- More extensive tests such as colonoscopy and CT colonography may be used; a biopsy may also be taken during the colonoscopy procedure8
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Patient guidelines
A patient guideline is a document containing information for patients and their families about their disease and the treatment options available to them
Click here to see the European patient guideline on your condition9
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Local support groups
Contacting a support group may help you during diagnosis and treatment and afterwards
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Infographics
Click here for information on the incidence of colorectal cancer in Europe11
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