In Singapore, colorectal cancer is a top killer disease. As with any form of cancer, awareness and early detection are crucial for effective treatment and improved outcomes. Here are the top five things you need to know about colorectal cancer in Singapore:

1.    High Incidence Rates And Leading Cause Of Cancer Deaths

Colorectal cancer is second most common cancer for men and for women for the years 2017 to 2021. There were 6,697 new cases diagnosed for men during the period. For women, there were 5,542 new cases. Colorectal cancer was responsible for 14.4% of all cancer deaths for men, and 15.6% in women, making it also the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

2.    Rise Of Incidence Of Colorectal Cancer Among Younger Adults

While colorectal cancer has been traditionally associated with older patients (and indeed, government recommendation is for people to get colonoscopy screening from age 50 if they are of average risk), recent trends indicate a worrying increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults globally.

3.    Risk Factors

Several factors contribute to the development of colorectal cancer:

• Age.
• Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
• Obesity.
• Lifestyle: Diet high in red or processed meats, lack of physical activity, smoking, and heavy alcohol consumption.

4.    Importance of Screening

Screening for colorectal cancer is highly recommended, especially for individuals aged 50 and above. With the increasing trend of early-onset cancer, people should consider screening at an earlier age, especially if they have one or more of the risk factors. Early detection through screenings such as colonoscopies (widely considered the “gold standard” for colorectal cancer screening), fecal occult blood tests (FOBT), and fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) can significantly improve treatment outcomes by detecting precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer when it is most treatable.

Screening is especially important as colorectal cancer often does not have symptoms in the early stages.

5.    Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle

While certain risk factors for colorectal cancer, such as age and family history, cannot be changed, adopting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk and improve overall health. This includes maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limiting consumption of red and processed meats, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and moderating alcohol intake.