1. Colorectal Cancer and Your Child
Colorectal cancer occurs in children when growth and reproduction of abnormal cells form in the lining of their colon or rectum. The abnormal cells are the cancer cells and they rapidly multiply and invade normal tissue. They may spread to other parts of the body.
2. Recognize Your Family History
When you have a family history of colon polyps, check your child early for a condition called familial adenomatous polyposis. Symptoms include a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, blood in stool, black stools, stomach discomfort, weight loss and reduced energy.
3. Get Genetic Screening
The most common causes of colorectal cancer in children are polyps called familial adenomatous polyposis. Polyps are growths that protrude inside the lining of the colon or rectum. When polyps get bigger, they have more of a chance of becoming cancerous. There are some genetic abnormalities that are not associated with the formation of polyps. Do a genetic screening and then counsel the patient to identify symptoms of colorectal cancer in children early.
4. Treatments for Your Child
Treatments for familial adenomatous polyposis aim to the polyps early with surgery, so they cannot grow and house abnormal cancer cells. If the colorectal cancer has not spread, surgery should cure your child's cancer. Your doctor may recommend radiation therapy with widespread colorectal cancer. Radiation damages the cancer cells' ability to multiply. The cells die and the body gets rid of them naturally. In rare cases, the cancer would require the removal of the intestine and a colostomy bag put into place. Sometimes, chemotherapy medication is a treatment for colorectal cancer in children. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs available. Your doctor can prescribe the right cocktail for you to take. Immunotherapy attacks the cells that make the abnormalities and tries to eliminate them. Your doctor may also prescribe a combination of these treatments.
5. Prevent Colorectal Cancer in Your Child
When you have a family history of colorectal cancer, get a regular colonoscopy as a preventative measure and use preventative medicine as prescribed from your doctor. You can also get fecal matter tests preformed to detect early traces of blood and get treatment immediately. Genetic screenings identify hereditary colorectal cancer and help you and your child receive counseling in recognizing symptoms.
