Chadwick Boseman, Colorectal Cancer, and Awareness

Chadwick Boseman, Colorectal Cancer, and Awareness

By Pooja Ramchandran, VP Genetic Counselling, MapmyGenome

Chadwick Boseman, the star of the 2018 Marvel Studios mega-hit Black Panther, died of colon cancer. He was 43 years old, diagnosed 4 years ago, and had kept his condition a secret. His death has put the spotlight on colon cancer, understanding one’s risks, education about early symptoms, and the importance of screening.

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together as colorectal cancer (CRC) — one of the most common GI tract cancers. The colon’s job is to absorb water and salts from food before passing waste matter into the rectum. Most colon cancers start as polyps (overgrowths of cells lining the colon) — and an adenoma (pre-cancer polyp) typically takes years before it can become cancer. This is why screening is so powerful.

Screening Recommendations

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Screening can be done with stool-based tests (FIT, gFOBT, mt-sDNA) or imaging-based exams (colonoscopy, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy). A colonoscopy is the gold standard — it can identify and remove polyps before they become cancer.

Early Symptoms to Watch For

• A change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, or narrowing of stool) lasting more than a few days

• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool

• Cramping or abdominal pain

• Weakness, fatigue, or unintended weight loss

The Hereditary Risk

While most colorectal cancers are sporadic, some are caused by inherited changes in genes that increase cancer susceptibility. The two most common hereditary colorectal cancer conditions are FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) and HNPCC (Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer). A genetic counsellor can analyse your family history and medical history to identify your risk and put together an appropriate screening plan.

About the Author

Pooja Ramchandran is a pioneer in the field of genetic counselling in India and VP Genetic Counselling at MapmyGenome. She has been practising clinical genetic counselling in India since graduating from Johns Hopkins University in 2008.