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10
% may be Carcinogenic
90 % of Rectal Problems that Cause Bleeding
are Benign
Urdu Version
“Benign diseases of
the anus and rectum account for almost 90 per cent of all rectal bleeding in
women; in the other 10 per cent of cases, however, bleeding may be caused by
malignant problems such as colon and rectal cancer.” This was stated by
Dr Sadaf Khan, Consultant General, Colon and Rectal Surgeon and Associate Professor,
Department of Surgery at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). She was speaking
at a seminar held under the aegis of the Hospital’s ‘Signs, Symptoms
and Care’ Programme.
Dr Sadaf said that the passage
of small amounts of blood from the rectum, usually associated with stool, is
a problem commonly reported by patients. She further informed that rectal bleeding
is often caused by haemorrhoid disease (piles), anal fissures, proctitis, rectal
ulcers, polyps and colorectal cancer. “Any new onset of bleeding”,
she continued, “or a change in the pattern of bleeding or pattern of bowel
movements requires further investigation to determine the cause and intervene
appropriately”.
Dr Sadaf strongly emphasised
that any large volume bleeding should be investigated at the earliest opportunity.
She apprised the audience that most benign causes of bleeding can be managed
without surgery: foremost is a need to maintain a high-fibre diet that helps
prevent straining and traumatic bowel movements. If symptoms persist, surgical
intervention, even on a minor level, may be required. Dr Sadaf reported that
bleeding which is caused by polyps or cancers has no existing medical treatment
and would normally call for surgical intervention.
The seminar was also addressed
by Dr Tabish Chawla, Consultant General Surgeon and Assistant Professor, Department
of Surgery, who spoke on the common causes of chronic abdominal pain. The following,
Dr Chawla noted, were the main causes: Chronic Gastritis, Peptic Ulcer Disease,
Biliary Colic, Abdominal Angina, Chronic Pancreatitis, Crohn's Disease, Irritable
Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Diverticulitis, Uterine Prolapse, and Chronic Pelvic Pain.
Dr Chawla said that the
mentioned diseases directly or indirectly cause chronic abdominal pain. He further
reported that a significant number of these patients may suffer from various
associated problems, inclusive of bladder or bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction,
and other systemic or constitutional symptoms. Associated problems may extend
to conditions such as depression, anxiety, and drug addiction, and Dr Chawla
cautioned members of the audience on the essential need to diagnose the basic
cause of such pain in order that best treatment may be given.
As part of its outreach
programme and societal commitment to creating awareness of early diagnosis and
timely treatment, AKUH has organised over 200 ‘Signs, Symptoms and Care’
programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad and the UAE, benefiting more than 40,000 people.
Similarly, Aga Khan University Hospital’s Patient Welfare Programme offers
financial assistance to those patients who are unable to afford the medical
cost of treatment. In 2005, 74 per cent of all patients treated at AKUH were
from low- to middle-income groups. Since the inception of this welfare programme
in 1986, over Rs. 1.4 billion has been disbursed to more than 250,000 needy
patients.
Urdu Version
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