What is Colorectal Cancer and How Dangerous is it?
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon and rectum, and is the most common cancer in Singapore.
According to the Singapore Cancer Registry, around 1,500 in Singapore are diagnosed each year, with around 650 dying from it each year.
Colorectal Cancer is Actually Extremely Preventable
Colorectal cancer topping the charts in Singapore is very unfortunate, especially since it is largely and easily preventable.
Almost all colorectal cancers develop from a benign polyp, which usually doesn’t display any symptoms for years but can be easily detected and removed during a colonoscopy (before it potentially becomes cancerous).
Colorectal cancer is also a very slow-progressing disease in its early stages, giving people ample time to get screened and treated early on.
There are Usually No Symptoms in the Early Stages
With over half of those diagnosed still being asymptomatic, this makes regular and timely screenings (colonoscopies) even more important.
Nonetheless, classic signs (particularly in more advanced stages) include:
- Persistent change of bowel habits
- Blood in stool
- Persistent discomfort in the abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss and fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
What are the Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer?
- If you are above the age of 50
- If you have a family history of colorectal cancer
- If you have a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- If you smoke, drink and have a diet high in fat, red meat and processed food
What are the Stages of Colorectal Cancer?
With over half of those diagnosed still being asymptomatic, this makes regular and timely screenings (colonoscopies) even more important.
Precancerous Stage: A benign polyp is found during a routine screening (and removed)
- Stage 0: Cancer has developed, but has not grown into the colon or rectal walls yet
- Stage 1 & 2: The cancer has grown into the colon and rectal walls, but has not affected nearby tissue yet
- Stage 3: The cancer is grown into surrounding tissue and lymph nodes, past the colon and rectal walls
- Stage 4: The cancer has now spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or liver
What Treatments are Available for Colorectal Cancer?
With over half of those diagnosed still being asymptomatic, this makes regular and timely screenings (colonoscopies) even more important.
If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, rest assured that there are many ways available to treat it. However, efficacy and prognosis surely depend on the stage and extent of the cancer.
Surgery(to remove the cancer via excision or resection)
Chemotherapy(to stop the growth of cancer cells)
Radiotherapy(to destroy cancer cells)
Immunotherapy(to help the immune system destroy the cancer cells)
Our Colorectal Cancer Specialists
Dr Dennis Koh
Medical Director & Senior Consultant Surgeon
B Med Sci (Nottingham), MBBS (Nottingham)
MMed (Surgery), FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS
Dr Dennis Koh is a MOH-accredited and experienced colorectal surgeon; and currently the Medical Director at Colorectal Practice.
Dr Koh strives to provide a customized treatment plan for each patient, which allows for better outcomes. He also honed his skills in proctology abRd in Geneva, bringing a more diverse touch to his practice.
Dr Sharon Koh Zhiling
Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery),
FRCS (Edinburgh), FAMS
Dr Sharon Koh is an experienced colorectal surgeon and the former Director of Endoscopy at Alexandra Health.
Dr Koh completed her fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in the US after being awarded the Academic Medicine Development Award by the National University Hospital.
Dr Pauleon Tan Enjiu
Senior Consultant Surgeon
MBBS (Singapore), MMed (Surgery),
FRCS (Edinburgh), FACS
Dr Pauleon Tan has served in public hospitals for over 15 years and is experienced in minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy.
Dr Tan undertook advanced colorectal surgical training at Japan’s Saitama International Medical Center after being awarded the Ministry of Health – Health Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) Award.