Every year in Colombia, 9,140 new cases are diagnosed and nearly 4,489 people die from colon and rectal cancer, a disease caused especially by poor eating habits. In addition, this type of cancer is among the 11 types of neoplasms prioritized, being the third type of cancer with the highest number of new cases among both sexes.
According to the National Cancer Institute of Colombia -ESE, between 80 and 90 percent of cases of this type of cancer are suffered by people over 50 years of age in our country, and it is the third leading cause of death in women and the fourth in men.
Ivan González, a specialist in radiation oncology at the Clínica del Occidente, said that this type of cancer can be prevented through a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber and drinking plenty of water.
He added that “the main risk factors for colorectal cancer are diets high in processed and cured red meats, that is, sausages. In addition, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity and abdominal obesity. Tobacco use increases the risk of developing this type of cancer by up to 40%.”
He also explained that although at the onset of the disease most patients do not experience symptoms, signs such as diarrhea or chronic constipation, bleeding in the stool, tiredness, weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss for no reason, the presence of masses and pain in the rectal area should be taken into account.
According to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, there are approximately 275,000 patients diagnosed with cancer in Colombia, and an average of 37,600 new cases and 19,800 deaths are recorded each year.
Specialists indicate that early detection of colorectal cancer can be up to 94% effective in treatment. “Although most patients do not experience symptoms at the onset of the disease, signs such as diarrhea or chronic constipation, bleeding in the stool, tiredness, weakness, abdominal pain, weight loss for no reason, the presence of masses and pain in the rectal area should be taken into account,” González said.
The doctor states that, within the treatments, the main one is oncological surgery, that in the case of colon cancer surgery and chemotherapy are performed, but if it is at the level of the rectum, the most common thing is to combine chemotherapy with radiotherapy and then proceed to surgery. Although he clarified that “this depends on the state of the tumor, because in early detection surgery might be enough.”
For its part, the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) noted that in Colombia the incidence of cancer in general has increased progressively over the past 20 years. Approximately 150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants are reported. In 2020, 113,000 new cases were diagnosed in the country and 192,000 per year are projected to occur by 2040. The most common are prostate cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and stomach cancer.
The Pan American Health Organization assures that in the region with regard to this type of cancer, there are more than 240,000 new cases and approximately 112,000 deaths from this disease annually. In addition, it predicts that by 2030 the incidence of this disease will increase by 60 percent if prevention measures are not taken.
The Ministry of Health stressed that although colon cancer develops slowly and takes a long time before it spreads long enough to start symptoms. However, there are warning signs to be aware of and immediately go to the doctor for the fecal occult blood test:
• Change in defecation habits (diarrhea or constipation).
• Feeling that the intestine does not empty completely.
• Presence of blood in the stool (bright red or very dark).
• Thinner stools than usual.
• Frequent abdominal pain due to gas or colic.
• Have the feeling of constantly being full or bloating of the belly.
• Mass in the abdomen that can be touched.
• Weight loss for no known reason.
• Constant tiredness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Anemia inexplicable.
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