An organ that measures 150 centimeters in length by 6.5 in diameter, equivalent to the thumb, can cause some 70 diseases. Colon poisoning can spread throughout the body…slow, chronic, and sometimes fatal.
Due to our bad habits, the “toxic colon” is equivalent to a poisoned body, which produces digestive problems, overweight, constipation, acidity, headaches, back pain, cellulite, acne, depression or polyps and diverticula, which are small alterations. , associated with cancer.
It is estimated that in Colombia there are some 30 million medical consultations for digestive problems per year, with medical costs that can exceed 100 billion pesos.
Colon cancer, in Colombia and Valle del Cauca, is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer. In Cali, according to the population registry of the disease, the incidence reached figures of up to 14 per 100,000 inhabitants, to occupy third place.
In the world, it is the fourth most frequent in both sexes and the third cause of death from cancer. In the United States at least one million people will develop the disease each year.
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor that develops in the final part of the digestive tract. Tumors appear when cells begin to divide and grow out of control. When these cells are located in the colon or rectum, it is called colon or colorectal cancer.
The colon or large intestine is the final part of the digestive tube, it measures approximately 1.5 meters. In its initial part (ascending and transverse colon), whose function is to absorb water and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.), and the second half (descending and straight colon), is responsible for storing fecal matter until it is expelled through the anus.
“In countries where prevention campaigns are carried out, deaths have decreased considerably. Age is one of the most important factors, since 90% of cases begin after the age of 50 and this risk increases as age advances,” says Dr. Sandra Avendaño, coloproctologist, from the Medical Center.
According to the specialist, colon cancer can be prevented with the detection and resection of polyps, which are small precancerous tumors. 90% of cases appear in people who do not have heredity to develop it.
“Only 5 to 10% of colon cancers develop in people with a personal and family history of colon cancer or polyps,” says Dr. Avendaño.
In the innermost part of the colon (mucosa) polyps or bulges may appear. These that are initially benign; in a period of five to ten years, they can become cancer in up to 30% of cases.
“Therefore – points out the coloproctologist – it is convenient, through a colonoscopy, to detect them as soon as possible and remove them, to avoid their potential risk of becoming cancer. This is the main way to prevent colon cancer.”
As these polyps do not give any symptoms and generally appear after the age of 50, it is advisable to have this examination at the age of 50 and then every 10 years.
In more advanced stages of the disease, the symptoms are bloody stools, changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea) in people who previously had a normal bowel rhythm, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, “ribbon-shaped” feces ” and anemia, which can lead to extreme fatigue.
If you have any of these symptoms, ask your doctor for a colonoscopy. (See box: “Screening tests”.)
The exact cause of the onset of the disease is not known, but there are some risk factors for developing it: being over 50 years of age. With age, the risk of developing colon polyps increases.
If a close relative (grandparents, parents, siblings) has suffered from the disease, its transmission through genetics is possible. Likewise, if the person has suffered the appearance of polyps or cancer, the risk of a new tumor increases.
“Inflammatory bowel disease: ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. In these diseases, chronic inflammation of the large intestine increases the risk of colon cancer”, adds Dr. Avendaño.
The disease is also associated with diets rich in animal fats (red meat) and low in fiber.
According to the World Health Organization, WHO, based on its conclusions in the “accumulated scientific literature”, examined by a working group of 22 experts from 10 countries and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, for its acronym in English), concluded that each 50-gram serving of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 18%.
“Transformed or processed meat is understood to be that transformed by salting, maturation, fermentation or other procedures intended to enhance its flavor and improve its conservation,” says the specialist from the Medical Center.
Likewise, the consumption of excess red meat, all types of meat from mammalian muscle tissue, including beef, pork, sheep, horses and goats, that is, a daily portion (100 grams) for a long time, would increase the risk potentially, by 17%.
On the contrary, the increase in the daily consumption of foods rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of developing the disease by up to 40%.
Obesity and being overweight also increase the risk of developing colon cancer. The higher the body mass index, the greater the risk, ranging from 7%. Alcohol and tobacco facilitate the development of polyps in the colon mucosa, which are the precursors of cancer. Tobacco increases the risk by 18% and alcohol up to 53%, depending on the amount consumed daily.
“If you lead a sedentary life and do not perform any physical activity, the risk also increases. Those people who perform physical activity, at least 30 minutes a day, about five times a week, can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by 20%,” says the coloproctologist at the Medical Center.
Take a daily diet high in fiber at least 5 servings a day (cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables). Reduce consumption of red meat, it is only recommended once a week. Also reduce sugars or sweets. Avoid alcohol and cigarette consumption.
To talk about the disease, the coloproctologist, Sandra Avendaño, will give a conference: “How to take care of the colon: colon cancer, it can be prevented”, within the framework of the “Community Education Program – information for life”, which advances the Medical Center.