If your GP suspects colorectal cancer, they may refer you to a colorectal specialist in Singapore. A colorectal specialist is a doctor trained to treat diseases of the colon, rectum, and anus.
So, they fully understand how to spot early warning signs and can guide you through the right tests and treatment. Some of the signs that may prompt a referral to a colorectal specialist in Singapore includes having blood in your stool, persistent abdominal pain or a change in bowel habits.
The colorectal specialist may order colonoscopy or CT scans to check for abnormal growths before they become serious. But, what do they do if they think that you have cancer? Please, stay on this page to find out.
How is Colon Cancer Detected Safely?
Colon cancer is one of the sneakiest and most deadly forms of cancers because it can hide unnoticed for a long time before wreaking havoc. So, a timely detection of colon cancer can surely save lives.
To detect cancer safely, a colorectal specialist will guide you through safe screening methods. The gold standard for colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy.
During this test, a thin, flexible tube with a camera is inserted into your large intestine and it transmits images which the doctor watches on a screen. If they spot polyps—small growths—they can remove them on the spot.
Before the assessment, you will need to follow a clear-liquid diet for a day and may also take a laxative to clear your bowel. This prep helps the doctor see every inch of the lining.
The procedure itself takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You’re given a mild sedative, so you feel relaxed and pain-free.
Other tests include stool-based screenings, like the faecal immunochemical test (FIT). Here, you collect a small stool sample at home and mail it to a lab.
FIT looks for hidden blood in your stool, which can be an early sign of colon cancer. It’s less invasive than a colonoscopy, but if the result is positive, you still need a follow-up colonoscopy.
Virtual colonoscopy uses CT scans to create 3D images of your colon. It’s non-invasive but still requires bowel prep. If the scan shows polyps, you’ll need a traditional colonoscopy for removal.
Your colorectal specialist in Singapore will recommend the safest method based on your age, health history, and risk factors. They will also explain each option clearly and help you decide.
What are the Investigations for Suspected Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is best managed when detected early. With this in mind you might wonder; what are the investigations for suspected colorectal cancer?
Now, if your screening shows a suspicious polyp or lesion, the process moves quickly. Your colorectal specialist in Singapore will first review your test results in detail and examine images as well as the pathology reports to confirm if the cells are abnormal.
If they see signs of cancer, they will schedule you for more tests to find out how far it has spread. One of the first follow-up tests is a CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis to check for enlarged lymph nodes or signs that cancer has moved beyond your colon.
Sometimes you also get a chest CT to see if there is spread to your lungs. These images help your specialist stage the cancer.
Staging tells you the size of the tumour and whether it has spread. It also guides the treatment plan.
Next, you may need a PET scan or an MRI, especially if your specialist wants to check for spread to other organs or tissues. These scans highlight active cancer cells by showing how they use sugar.
Areas of high uptake light up on the images to give a clearer picture of any hidden disease. Your specialist will then discuss your treatment options in a meeting that may include a surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist.
This team approach ensures you get a tailored plan. You will have time to ask questions about surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, and any new therapies available in Singapore.
Throughout this process, a good colorectal specialist in Singapore will keep your records updated, explain each test result in simple terms, and support you in each decision. You never face these steps alone.
What are the Early Warning Signs of Colon Cancer to Watch for?
Colon cancer can start without pain which is why it is often difficult to detect. However, if you can spot the warning signs early and talk to a colorectal specialist in Singapore on time, you may receive a very timely diagnosis. Here are common early warning signs of colon cancer to watch for:
- Blood in your stool: If you have developed colon cancer, you might notice bright red streaks or dark, tarry stools. Blood can come from polyps or tumours in your colon. Even small amounts matter so, be sure to tell your doctor if you see any change.
- A persistent change in bowel habits: This includes diarrhoea or constipation that lasts more than two weeks. You may feel a sense of needing to pass stool even after you’ve emptied your bowels. These shifts can hint at a blockage or irritation caused by growths.
- Unexplained weight loss and fatigue: Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise might mean your body is fighting cancer. Fatigue and weakness come from low iron or chronic blood loss. If you feel tired all the time and can’t explain it, see a specialist.
If you’ve had an assessment and colorectal cancer is confirmed, your colorectal specialist in Singapore will lay out a treatment plan with surgery most likely to be the first step. During a colectomy, the surgeon removes the cancerous section of your colon and then rejoin the healthy ends so you can pass stool normally.
Most surgeries in Singapore use keyhole (laparoscopic) techniques to reduce pain and speed recovery. After surgery, you may need chemotherapy which involves the use of drugs to kill any remaining cancer cells.
A good colorectal specialist will tailor the drug type and dose to your cancer stage. You receive chemo in cycles, with rest periods in between. Your specialist will also monitor your blood counts and overall health throughout.
Radiation therapy is less common for colon cancer but may be used if the tumour is near other organs. Radiation uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells and can shrink the tumour before surgery or target leftover cells after surgery.
Newer treatments, like targeted therapy or immunotherapy, are also available in Singapore. Targeted drugs attack specific cancer cell features, sparing healthy cells.
Immunotherapy boosts your immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells. Your specialist will tell you if these are suitable based on your cancer’s genetic profile.
Wrapping Up
Facing a colon cancer scare is frightening, but you don’t have to go it alone. A Colorectal specialist in Singapore can guide you through safe detection methods, accurate diagnosis and effective treatments.
We offer advanced screening, personalised treatment plans and compassionate support. So, we are happy to help if you have any concern about colon cancer. Get in touch below to book a consultation;
Alpine Surgical Practice – Dr Aaron Poh | Colonoscopy | Gallstones Removal Singapore
3 Mount Elizabeth, #14-06 Medical Centre,
Singapore 228510
+65 6322 7323
