International Colon Cancer Month: One of the most common and easiest to diagnose

The Colorectal cancer It is the second most frequent in women and the third in men, in the world. In Colombia, every year 5,663 people get sick and 3,207 die from this type of 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.

“Most colon cancers develop from adenomatous polyps that originate in the uppermost part of the colon, in the mucosa,” says Sandra Avendaño, a coloproctologist from the Medical Center.

The colon cancer It 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 referred to as colon or colorectal cancer.

The colon either large intestine It 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 (colon descending and straight), is responsible for storing fecal matter until it is expelled through the anus.

According to the coloproctologist, the growth of the tumor is initiated by genetic changes in a step-by-step process, over the years. The risk factors are age, from the age of 50 the risk increases and as age increases, the risk is greater.

“History of having had polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or a family history of colon and rectal cancerthese are risk factors for developing the disease,” says Dr. Avendaño.

Lifestyle habits are also important factors for the development of the disease. The consumption of red meat, more than 100 grams per day (18%), sausages (17%), alcohol and cigarettes (53%) and obesity.

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“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. Avendaño, a coloproctologist.

According to the specialist, colon cancer it 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 ccolon cancer or polyps”, says Dr. Avendaño.

In the innermost part of the colon (mucosa) polyps or lumps 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 polyps increases in the colon.

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.

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“Inflammatory bowel disease: ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. In these diseases, chronic inflammation of the large intestineincreases 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 World Health Organization, WHObased on its findings in the “accumulated scientific literature,” reviewed by a working group of 22 experts from 10 countries and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), concludes that each portion of 50 grams 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 of 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 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 mucosa of the colon, which are the precursors of cancer. Tobacco increases the risk by 18% and alcohol up to 53%, depending on the amount consumed daily.

If a sedentary life and not doing any physical activity also increases the risk, those people who do physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, about five times a week, can reduce the risk of Colorectal cancer by 20%

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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.

SCREENING TESTS

Since 2006, the Ministry of Social Protection has implemented the colon cancer prevention program and everyone has the right to have one of these tests performed regardless of the health regime to which they belong.

  • Occult blood in feces: With Immunochemistry, it is a laboratory test that allows to see the hidden blood. You do not need a special diet, just a stool sample that can detect up to 40% of the presence of cancer. If the test is positive, that is, if blood was observed in the stool, a total colonoscopy should be performed.

    Within the law, this exam is established every two years and the colonoscopy every 10 years.

  • Full Colonoscopy: It is the ideal method for detection of colon cancer. It is done by means of a piece of equipment called a colonoscope, which allows the rectum and colon to be observed inside and the doctor to determine the possible presence of cancer or polyps.

    If the polyps are resected, there is an indication to remove them immediately, avoiding the progression of these lesions to colon cancer. This test is indicated for people who are 50 years of age or older and do not have symptoms. If it is normal, the recommendation is to repeat it every 10 years. It is indicated in people with symptoms, even if they are under 50 years of age.

    If during the colonoscopy the doctor observes a suspicious lesion, he will proceed to extract a small sample of tissue (biopsy) that must be analyzed in order to confirm or rule out the existence of cancer.