Colorectal cancer is the leading cancer among Singaporean men and the second most common among Singaporean women. But when detected early, it is one of the most preventable and treatable cancers. You can prevent the risk of cancer development through regular screening. Hence, the best time to screen is when you feel fine.
The Risk Factors
Your risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with your age, but there are things you can do to help lower your risk, like regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. However, the following are risk factors that you cannot control:
- Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- Personal or family history of colorectal polyps or cancer
- Age
What are the symptoms if I have colorectal cancer?
In its early stages, you may not notice any symptoms. But in the later stages, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation, diarrhoea, and mucus in stool
- Bright red or dark blood in the stools
- Persistent abdominal discomfort or pain
- Constant gas or bloating
- A lump or pain around the anus
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained anaemia, causing lethargy, fatigue, shortness of breath
Colorectal Cancer Treatment Options
There are three main treatment options for colorectal cancer: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
- Colorectal surgery: removal of the part of the colon that has the cancer cells
- Chemotherapy: employed to kill cancer cells after surgery, control the growth of the tumour, or relieve cancer symptoms
- Radiation therapy: using radiation to destroy cancer cells that might linger after surgery, shrink large tumours before operation, or relieve cancer symptoms
All these treatment options can be used alone or in combination, depending on the cancer stage and health assessment of the doctor.
FIT Kit: One way of knowing
Screening for colorectal cancer should start at age 50. Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is one of the recommended screening tests for colorectal cancer and should be done once a year.
What is a FIT kit?
A faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit tests for small amounts of blood in the stool, that cannot be seen visually. This is an early sign of colorectal cancer, making it an alternative to colonoscopy if you are of low risk. However, your doctor may encourage you to do a colonoscopy if there are other considerations.
How to use the FIT kit?
This test can be carried out in the comfort of your home. You will be given two FIT kits and must do the test on two different days for accurate results. Follow these steps to use the test kit properly:
- Collect your stool on clean toilet paper. Ensure that the stool does not come in contact with water or urine.
- Twist and pull the tab to take out the sampling probe from the kit.
- Poke the sampling probe into six (6) different areas of the stool.
- Put it back in the kit and secure the tab by twisting it to close.
- Shake the FIT kit several times.
- Wrap the absorbent pad around the kit and place them inside the ziploc bag provided.
- Squeeze out the excess air and seal the bag securely.
- Write the stool collection date on the reply slip provided and ensure that all your particulars are correct.
- Put the FIT kit and the reply slip in the business reply envelope provided.
- Peel off the adhesive on the envelope and seal it tightly.
- Mail it back immediately to the Singapore Cancer Society.
- Repeat the steps to collect the second stool specimen with the second kit. You will be notified of the results by post.
What if it is positive?
If the test detects the presence of microscopic blood in your stool, you will be encouraged to schedule a colonoscopy to determine the cause of the bleeding.
Where do I get the FIT kit?
Singapore Cancer Society distributes free FIT kits to eligible Singaporeans and permanent residents. Eligibility for the test includes:
- Age 50 or above
- Have not done a FIT screening in the last 12 months
- Have not undergone a colonoscopy in the last ten years
Present your National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) at the collection point near you.
Conclusion
Colorectal cancer can be prevented through regular screening. The FIT kit is one way to find the presence of blood in your colon, which may indicate precancerous polyps, that can be removed before they develop into cancer. If you have other inquiries about conditions of the colon, rectum, or anus, contact us for a discussion.
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