Men and women, over 50, average 70-71 years. These are the indicators and data that further determine the incidence of colon cancer, which is the highest in Spain; Second after prostate cancer in men and second after breast cancer in women, according to 2019 cancer rates in Spain.
The March 31 is Colon Cancer Awareness DayWhose mortality appears to be changing faster than in other tumors, thanks to lifestyle and dietary changes and improved screening methods.
That explains it, though The incidence of this cancer is gradually increasing, Survival also increases. Spain has a five-year survival rate of 64%, which is higher than the European average of 57%. World Colon Cancer Day is a good time to think about how we can do this.
How to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer
Studies have shown that diet, weight and exercise habits are strongly associated with the risk of colon cancer. Therefore, reducing and changing some habits can also reduce not only the risk of colon cancer but also other heart diseases and diabetes.
- Active lifeExercise increases the risk of developing colon cancer and polyps. An example of this is a study conducted by the US National Cancer Institute on more than 1.4 million people and published in JAMA Internal Medicine, which found that higher levels of physical activity are associated with a 16% lower risk of colon cancer.
- healthy eating: Giving priority to foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole foods, as well as restricting red and processed meats will help reduce the risk. According to a study published in the American Institute for Cancer Research, the latter food is associated with an increased risk of saturated fats due to the increased risk of colorectal cancer, which promotes the proliferation of colon cells.
- Reduce alcohol consumption: Regular alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of colon and rectal cancer. The American Cancer Society proposes to limit alcohol consumption to two drinks a day for men and one for women.
- No smoking: Tobacco releases various carcinogenic compounds, including polyunuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic amines, and nitrosamines, which can reach the colorectal mucosa through the circulatory system or by direct ingestion.
- Pay attention to bowel movements and avoid constipation: We should be careful about changes that may occur, such as the presence of blood in the stool, a change in bowel rhythm, abdominal pain or discomfort, weight loss for no apparent reason, and fatigue.
Early diagnosis, the main tool of prevention
Early diagnosis is key in the prevention of colon cancer because most tumors develop over time from benign polyps. Survival has also been shown to be greater when the tumor is diagnosed at an early stage.
Screening tests aim to identify colon cancer in people who do not have typical symptoms such as blood in the stool or abdominal pain. The Screening program It is based on two main tests to detect precancerous lesions or colorectal cancer that have not yet been identified:
- Detection of occult blood in feces (SOH immunochemical fecal test): Early detection of this type of cancer. It involves the analysis of whether there is blood in the small stool sample with the naked eye. And it is from cancerous and precancerous lesions that bleeding occurs, and it is this blood that is attempted to be identified by a blood test, a test that is usually performed every two years after the age of 50 years. It should be noted that the test is not a diagnosis of cancer, but rather reveals the presence of blood in the stool.
- Colonoscopy: Allows the colon and rectum to be examined from the inside through an anus-inserted device: a long, flexible tube with a small camcorder at the bottom. During this process, the doctor can remove and biopsy the found polyps, which will lead to determining if they are cancerous, precancerous, or benign. This feature, the removal of polyps by colonoscopy, is one of the reasons why mortality has declined in recent decades.
Both tests are recommended for people over 50 if there is no family history. This type of tumor is curable in 90% of cases if it is detected at an early stage of the disease. Prevention is therefore the most powerful way to fight this disease.
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Source: El Diario
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
