Overview:

Dr. Manoj Sharma, a Professor of Social and Behavioral Health and Internal Medicine and President of Health for All, Inc., answers questions about coping with Colorectal Cancer. 

Dr. Manoj Sharma, a Professor of Social and Behavioral Health and Internal Medicine and President of Health for All, Inc., answers questions about coping with Colorectal Cancer. 

Vidhan’s story

Vidhan*, a 64-year-old accountant from Michigan, was experiencing belly pain, a feeling of bloated stomach, constipation, tiredness, and had lost weight.  Upon consulting his primary care provider, he got some tests done, including a colonoscopy. The results revealed that he had Stage 1IA colorectal cancer. He was worried about this diagnosis and approached us for advice.

*Name changed upon request

Q: What is colorectal cancer? 

Dr. Sharma: Vidhan, colorectal cancer starts as polyps in the inner lining of the last part of the large intestine, and when these polyps start showing abnormal growth, it is called cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most deadly and fourth most diagnosed cancer in the world. 

Q: What are its stages?

Dr. Sharma: Colorectal cancer can progress through five stages. 

  • Stage 0 is when, on colonoscopy, abnormal polyps are found. 
  • Stage 1 is when there is at least one cancerous polyp in the colon wall. 
  • Stage II has three substages: Stage IIA: Cancer has spread through most of the colon wall but has not grown into the wall’s outer layer. Stage IIB: Cancer has spread into the outer layer of the colon wall or through the wall. Stage IIC: Cancer has spread into the nearby organs, but not the lymph nodes. 
  • Stage III is when the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes.  
  • Stage IV, when cancer has metastasized to distant organs such as lungs (IVA), multiple organs (IVB), or abdominal lining (IVC).

Q: What could have caused this condition?

Dr. Sharma: Vidhan, the exact cause is not known. However, some risk factors are being over the age of 50 years, family history of cancer, having multiple polyps, some genetic conditions, being overweight or obese, smoking, and regularly drinking alcohol. Dietary habits such as low intake of milk and calcium in the diet, and certain gut microbiota (microorganisms that reside in the intestines) have also been thought to be risk factors.  

Q: What should I do?

Dr. Sharma: Vidhan, you should follow the advice of your consulting physicians. Surgery is the most common treatment for colorectal cancer that has not spread.  It consists of removing the polyps (polypectomy) or removing a section of the colon (colectomy). 

In Stage II, sometimes chemotherapy or medicines are also given.  In late stages, radiotherapy is also given. Your medical team will be the best judge of what treatment you should take. 

At a personal level, having a strong support network, educating yourself about treatment options, and managing emotional and physical health through proactive self-care are some of the ways to cope with this disease. 

You could seek active support from loved ones or support groups such as Colorectal Cancer Alliance, CancerCare, etc. It is also important to maintain a sense of normalcy, stay positive and physically active, and communicate openly with the medical team to reclaim a sense of control.

Q: What are the adverse effects of colorectal cancer treatment?

Dr. Sharma: Common adverse effects of surgery are discomfort, digestive issues, changes in bowel habits, and the risk of hernia. Common adverse effects of chemotherapy are fatigue, numbness/tingling in hands and feet (neuropathy), nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, hair thinning, and increased risk of infection. Some long-term effects can be chronic diarrhea, constipation, or incontinence, decreased libido, pain, or difficulties with erection.

Q: What are my chances of survival?

Dr. Sharma: Vidhan, your cancer has been detected in an early stage, and with surgery, which is likely to be the primary course of treatment, the prognosis is high. Statistically speaking, the 5-year relative survival rate for Stage IIA colorectal cancer is generally high, estimated at over 90%. As mentioned earlier, Stage IIA indicates the tumor has grown through the muscle layer of the bowel wall but has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites, often allowing for a favorable prognosis, sometimes termed “localized” or “localized resectable” cancer.

Q: Can yoga and meditation help with colorectal cancer?

Dr. Sharma: They do not have a curative role in cancer. Yogic asanas for colorectal health focus on twists, forward folds, and gentle compression to stimulate digestion, relieve constipation, and reduce bloating. Effective asanas include the seated twists (Ardha Matsyendrasana), wind-relieving pose (Pavanamuktasana), cobra pose (Bhujangasana), and child’s pose (Balasana) to improve intestinal movement and reduce inflammation. Meditation  (Dhyana) helps relieve stress and improve coping and general quality of life in cancer survivors.

Q: Can you share some additional resources?

Dr. Sharma: Here are some additional resources from which you can find more information:      

YouTube Video about Yoga exercises for colorectal health  

If you have questions, please reach out to Dr. Manoj Sharma at editor@indiacurrents.com.

Manoj Sharma, MBBS, Ph.D., MCHES® is an Indian-American global public health expert, author, and educator who has written several books and publications on mental health and wellness. He answers queries...