Colorectal Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Mr Pranab Kumar Basu shares his experience of being the sole caregiver of his wife, who had metastastic colon cancer, and how he succeeded in keeping her mentally strong and cheerful till the end. I have been the sole caregiver for my wife who was suffering from cancer. My wife was under the treatment at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, from July, 2015. She battled for nearly 2 years and 6 months. She finally succumbed to it in October 2017. She was a victim of metastatic colon cancer. The…

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cause of deaths related to cancer worldwide. Lynch syndrome or HNPCC is one of most common genetic causes of Colon cancer. Here are a few questions to better understand Lynch syndrome and how we can screen for it. 1. What is the Lynch syndrome? Which genes are involved? Lynch Syndrome is also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC. It has a genetic disposition, hence the term hereditary and is known to be associated or  the…

This World Cancer Day, cancer survivors and PatientsEngage contributors share advice based on their lives experience on how best to deal with a cancer diagnosis. #WeCanICan #WorldCancerDay #WCD2018 What would you tell a person who just learned of their cancer diagnosis?’ 1. Dilip Kumar Mevada, Multiple myeloma survivor Cancer so what? You can overcome it. You have to accept and forgive that you have cancer.  If I can survive you can also survive. We are the luckiest human beings to have…

Nila, 80 from Ahmedabad talks about how a mild gastro issue led to a life altering diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer and how she learnt to live with a colostomy bag and a modified lifestyle. And her coping mantras. Please tell us a bit about your condition I had Colorectal Cancer and now have a permanent colostomy bag attached to me. I was diagnosed in summer of 2016. What were the early symptoms? It all started with sudden onset of diarrhea. This was very surprising because all my life, I have…

Healthy eating habits, high fibre, can quite easily take care of one of the most common and inconvenient trouble like Constipation, says nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. And a high fibre, nutritious recipe. Constipation is the most common digestive complaint, that makes one feel bloated, irritated and makes life quite miserable. Generally, constipation is defined as infrequent or fewer than three bowel movements per week. Less than one bowel movement per week is considered severe constipation.…

Usha Jerome, who was diagnosed with upper rectal cancer at 62, talks candidly about her symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and how she heroically fought the darkest period of her life. Where shall I begin? Perhaps with Dr Naresh Bhat, an eminent and accomplished gastroenterologist in Bangalore. It was strange that when we met him on the morning of June 19, 2011, he was his usual charming self. Later that evening, after the colonoscopy, his expression was totally grave and grim. Even at that point,…

Among the ways to prevent cancer – eating a healthy, balanced diet could be your starting point. Try to consume all essential nutrients that will help detoxify your body, stimulate the immune system and prevent healthy cells from turning cancerous. Over the last 25 years, research has produced dietary guidelines that have become conventional wisdom when it comes to cancer prevention. There are a number of substances present in our daily diet which are carcinogenic (cancer causing substances)…

Is it true that red meat should be avoided, while white meat encouraged? Bonnie Lau, an Australian-trained dietitian, answers. Here, we compare the pros and cons of both and helps you decide which type of meat you should eat in the future. Meat is a great source of protein and lots of vitamins and minerals. But there are claims that red meat (mutton, lamb, beef, pork) should generally be avoided, while white meat (chicken, duck, fish) is encouraged. We look at this closer and compare pros and…

Endoscopy guru and leading gastroenterologist Dr Vipulroy Rathod’s comprehensive interview on gastrointestinal diseases and cancers makes for an enlightening and interesting read. What is Gastroenterology? Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Physicians practicing in this field are called…

B V Lakshmi, who has put up a courageous fight against cancer three times, appreciates life profoundly and says the mind has miraculous power to even change the effect of the DNA. My mother was milking the cow when she had her pains and I was delivered right there in the cow shed in a huge family mansion house in Madurai! That’s why people used to say “Thavuttukku vaangeena pullai”, meaning bought from the cows! I grew up amidst a large family in Chennai. My mother had 16…