We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Marvel superhero Black Panther’s actor, Chadwick Boseman. It is even more painful to know that the actor was battling Colon cancer as he was filming a lot of movies.
However, in Malaysia, colon cancer ranked number 2 of the most common cancer. Not only that, but colon cancer is also leading cancer in men and the second in women (after breast cancer).Over 90% of cases in Malaysia occur at the age of over 40 years and women with ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer are more likely to get colon and rectal cancer.
This cancer separated into 4 stages:
Stage I: Cancer is located in the lining of the intestine or anus
Stage II: Cancer spreads through the intestinal wall or anus
Stage III: Cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes
Stage IV: Cancer spreads to distant parts of the body such as the liver and lungs.
Colon cancer can be diagnosed by Sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy, Biopsy, Blood test, and Image testing like CT scan, ultrasound, and x-ray. The treatment available for this disease is surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. However, it depends on the location of cancer and the severity of it.
The symptoms of colon cancer are:
- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
- Rectal bleeding
- Dark stools, or blood in the stool
- Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
- Weakness and fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
- Swelling or lumps in the abdomen
So, if you are or any of your family and friends have one of the symptoms, please go and have a check-up. Hopefully, with this information, many people are more aware of this cancer
Info via Facebook