Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 10% of all Cancer cases. Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon (large intestine) or rectum.

Of the patients that are diagnosed with colorectal cancer 90% are older than 50, with a median age of 64 years, however an increasing incidence of Colorectal cancer in patients less than 50 years of age is rising globally.

Colorectal cancer usually starts as a polyp. Polyps are small overgrowths in the tissue lining the colon or rectum. Most of them aren’t harmful. But some polyps can turn into cancer over time. Most precancerous polyps produce few, if any, symptoms. It is important to get screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Screening can catch colorectal cancer early, when treatments are more likely to be successful.

 The main preventable risk factors for colorectal cancer are a high-fat diet, a low-fiber diet, obesity and physical inactivity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, high intake of processed meat.

 Many people will not have symptoms in the early stages of the disease, when it shows up the symptoms of colorectal  cancer are:

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea, constipation or narrowing of stools.
• Rectal Bleeding.
• Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain.
• Weakness or tiredness.
• Unintentional Weight loss.

Diagnosis: Stool-based tests are non-invasive screening methods used to detect the presence of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps in the stool. The common type of stool-based tests is the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). If blood or abnormal findings are detected in the stool, further diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy are usually recommended to confirm the presence of colorectal cancer or polyps.

Colonoscopy remains the investigation of choice to diagnose colorectal cancer. Imaging tests can help to provide detailed information about the size or location of colon cancer and assess if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Common imaging tests are: CT Scan,MRI Scan, PET CT Scan

Other test include Blood tests like CBC, LFT, Tumor marker test for Colon Cancer -CEA (Carcino Embryonic Antigen)

 Most Colorectal Cancer patients have no obvious clinical symptoms at the early stage, resulting in a low early diagnosis rate. Regular screening for colorectal is the best way to catch the disease early, ensuring the best possible outcome.