Risk Factor
The particular cause of Cancer is not fully understood by researchers but it is known to be caused by external and internal factors. The External factors include Smoking, Chemicals, Radiations and Infectious Organisms while Internal factors include: Inherited mutations, Hormones, Immune Conditions and Metabolic Mutations.These factors can act individually or together in a particular order to initiate and /or promote development and spread of cancer thus increasing ones chances.These include:
- Age (50 and above)
- Personal or Family History of rectal polyps and cancer: Screening should be taken 10 years before the age of the relative's diagnosis or at 50 years if no history.
- High fat, low fiber diet
- Inactive lifestyle
- Inflammatory bowel Disease
- Environment
- Others: Smoking and Alcohol
Symptoms
Cancer of the rectum can develop from any part of the rectum and shares many features with cancer of the colon thus mostly referred to colorectal cancer. The cancer might not show symptoms in its early stage as it develops slowly over 10 years or more before it manifest usually as precancerous growth known as polys. Early Screening test detects this thus gives opportunity for the prevention of it becoming cancerous.
- Late symptoms
- Change in consistence of bowel habit which is due to obstruction : Constipation, diarrhea, narrowing stool and vomiting
- Blood in stool could lead to anemia this might not necessary be rectal cancer but its good to seek medical attention.
- Abdominal discomfort- gas, bloating fullness and pains
- Changes in appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme Tiredness