With the exception of skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in adults in the US, with 43,340 new cases of rectal cancer diagnoses each year. If you’re at risk of rectal cancer or experience usual symptoms like changes in bowel habits or blood in your stool, contact the office of Moshe Barnajian, MD, in the Beverly Grove area of Los Angeles, California. Dr. Barnajian and his team screen for, diagnose, and treat rectal cancer to prevent it from spreading. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online today.
Rectal cancer is cancer inside your rectum, which is the last segment of your large intestine that connects with the narrow passage leading to your anus. Colorectal cancer is a cancer that occurs in your rectum and colon. With early detection and proper treatment, rectal cancer is often curable.
If you experience the following signs or symptoms of rectal cancer, see Dr. Barnajian and his team for cancer screening:
Even if you don’t experience symptoms, talk with Dr. Barnajian about when to begin colorectal cancer screenings, which is often at age 50 or younger if you have additional rectal cancer risk factors.
Though anybody can develop rectal cancer, the following factors increase your risk:
These factors increase your risk of colon cancer in addition to rectal cancer. Routine colorectal screening is important to detect cancer before it spreads to other parts of your body.
A colonoscopy is the most accurate screening test for rectal cancer. Dr. Barnajian examines the lining of your rectum and colon using a flexible tube with a camera attached to it. He uses specialized instruments to remove polyps and other tissues in your rectum for analysis.
If you have rectal cancer, other diagnostic testing procedures, such as blood tests, MRIs, and CT scans, help determine the stage of cancer you have and whether it’s spread to other areas of your body.
Rectal cancer treatment often involves removing cancerous tissue, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or combinations of these methods. Dr. Barnajian is highly qualified to perform minimally invasive and advanced colon, rectal, and anal surgical techniques. He’s skilled in laparoscopic and robotic colorectal cancer resection procedures.
Be proactive about colon and rectal health with routine screenings. At the first sign of blood in your stool, pelvic pain, or unusual bowel changes, schedule an appointment at the office of Moshe Barnajian, MD, over the phone or online today.
