Some aspects of accessible cancers. Rectum. Part Six.

Aimed at General Practitioners and professional audiences, this film shows treatment and recovery of patients diagnosed with cancer of the rectum. At the time of the film being made over 6000 people died of the condition; mostly male. A male patient describes his piles; could this be cancer, especially if the patient is over 35 years old? A digital rectal examination is performed and described by the doctor. A proctoscope aids diagnosis. Colonic irrigation is carried out together with other tests. Post-operatively, a female patient is on a special high calorie diet. Surgery is via the abdomen or the perineum. There is footage of a patient operated upon via the abdomen; a medical illustration describes the area of excision. Operative mortality is low and the patient has a better quality of life once the tumour is removed. Post operative specimens are viewed. The pathological report is shared with the surgeons; an example is given. A recovering patient is given a cup of tea. A colostomy is shown in action. Patients are fitted with a colostomy belt. The oldest patient, an elderly woman, has lived with her colostomy for 17 years and testified to the ease of operation.