The increase in colon cancer in the province is worrisome

Current living conditions increase rates of colon cancer. Specialists worry about the steady increase in these types of tumors, which are paradoxically easy to prevent, their development taking about a decade.

It is the second most common type of cancer in the province and the country and affects men more than women.

According to the latest data from the local tumor registry, there are more than 500 new diagnoses every year: 240 new cases among women and 290 among men (five-year period 2011-2015). The incidence rate is 20 cases per 100,000 women in the general population and 28 per 100,000 men.

Viviana Fragapane, from the gastroenterology department of El Carmen Hospital, acknowledged that he is observing an increase year by year of this pathology, which appears mainly in people aged 50 to 75 years. To illustrate, simply compare the data from a few years ago.

In 2005, the rate of people with this condition was 28.23 men per 100,000 population and 25.43 per 100,000 women.

In 2014, the indicator climbed to 34.11 per 100,000 in the first and to 29.5 per 100,000 in the second. That is, in nine years, it has increased by about five points on average.

"Our province has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in Argentina and does not escape the reality of the country and the western world", commented Dr. Carlos Milutin, head of the provincial colon cancer program.

"It's the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women, but when a campaign is over, people talk to people and say they're not interested," he said. the professional.

To plot the detailed graph that according to the epidemiological data of the province, the mortality in 2005 was 14.43 per 100,000 men and 12.90 in women. In 2014, it had risen to 20 and 14.79 respectively.

Trend

In Argentina, more than 13,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and more than 7,000 people die from this cause, according to data from the National Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Detection Program.

Looking forward, the outlook is not very encouraging as statistical projections suggest that the trend continues to increase.

"We are worried about right colon cancer, there is more and more among young people", Cristina Diumenjo, head of the tumor registry, told Los Andes.

He pointed out that this increases since 2003 began to collect data on this disease.

Argentine Gastroenterology Society explains that "in most cancers of the colon and rectum (over 90%), there is a lesion called" adenomatous polyp or adenoma ", which is an abnormal growth of cells of the large intestine wall (as if 39, was a skin wart).

This adenoma can develop silently, slowly over the years and become a cancer if it is not detected and removed in time by colonoscopy. "

Although initially located in the lining of the large intestine (early or early stage), the tumor develops over time and can invade the lymph nodes, adjacent organs or spread by blood to other distant organs. These metastases can reach organs such as the liver or lungs.

The bad regime

The quality of life and its conditioning factors are largely responsible for this increase. Of 10 patients who develop cancer, seven do not have a family history or previous illness which can generate a predisposition.

Inadequate nutrition, overweight and sedentary lifestyle they are among the most relevant risk factors, are only conditions that are gaining ground in the current context of life.

Work and daily requests affect the quality of food while technology and lack of time have suppressed movements to the body. Not doing physical activity is definitely a big risk and not just for this disease.

But also, of course, they influence the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

The diet is in the line of fire: fiber, vegetables, fruits, meat and fat are lacking, which may also be predisposing to this type of cancer.

In 30% of cases personal or family history of colorectal polyps (adenomas), colorectal cancer or inflammatory diseases of the large intestine, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Aging of the population

The aging of the population is another factor that influences this increase. Improving quality of life and access to health care has increased people's age of survival and, with it, the impact of this condition, which affects more people over 50 years of age.

It's not exclusive because it's also there are cases in young peopleTherefore, early controls are important when there are predisposing factors

Although the picture seems obscure due to the hygienic and dietary context, Dr. Fragapane pointed out that this would not be the case if the patient changed his habits and did control studies.

With care treated and treated in time, we can cure 90% of cases

Experts stress that one of the main obstacles is the lack of prevention. As it is an asymptomatic pathology, when it has an indication, it is already late. But it takes about ten years to develop and therefore, with only regular checks, he manages to detect any abnormality. Treated in time, 90% of cases are cured.

People aged 45 to 75 must be controlled, even if they have no type of symptoms.. You can access the health centers or the general practitioner.

Primary control It is a hidden blood test in the feces, very simple result, non-invasive and fast.

"If symptoms occur: anemia, weight loss, evacuations, abdominal pain or inflammatory bowel disease or related to the first degree with a history of colorectal cancer, badistance should be performed quickly", detailed the head of the provincial colon cancer program, Carlos Milutin.

If in doubt, the doctor will advise you of a subsequent colonoscopy. One of the reasons people do not do this is fear of being invasive, but we have to keep in mind that the initial study is not.

The doctor noted that the United States had managed to reduce from 56 cases per 100,000 population in 1992 to 36.5 in 2015, while during the same period, the death rate also decreased by almost 10 points.

"They did what we could not do here: anticipate with early diagnosis, we need to adopt a health prevention policy once and for all," he said.

For the population to become aware

Tomorrow is the World Day for the fight against colon cancer. This initiative aims to inform the population and promote the management of their health through changes in habits and medical checks in people over 45 years.

To prevent injury, it is recommended to take a balanced diet with abundant fruits and vegetables that allow to incorporate fiber and moderate consumption of meats and fats.

In addition to do physical activity daily, avoid overweight, consumption of alcohol and tobacco.

Today & # 39; hui, the gastroenterology department of El Carmen Hospital will lead an interactive awareness campaign. He will be 11 to 17 years old on Plaza Independencia.

There you can goInflatable colon 9 meters long and 3 meters in diameter, where will discover how it works and what is the way to take care of this organ of the digestive system. In addition, professionals will provide information.