Colon cancer: Early diagnosis allows 90% cure

The digestive tract in the man and woman begins with the mouth and ends with the anus. The last sections of the intestine are the colon and rectum (also called large intestine).

But from 50 years old, In the colon and rectum may appear so-called adenomatous polyps called preneoplastic (premalignant): that would be like warts that are born from the light of the intestines. These benign lesions, not detected early and suppressed, lead to colorectal cancer (CRC).

In the World colon cancer day, Professionals consulted by Infobae point out that colorectal cancer (CRC), with nearly 13,500 new cases per year, is the second most common in Argentina (behind the chest) and It is estimated that about 20 people a day (about 7,500 per year) die of this tumor, a number that is only exceeded by lung cancer.

It happens even if 90% of cases of CRC can be cured by minimally invasive treatments. The cure rates reach 90% and in many cases, without recourse to oncological treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and with the possibility for example of less invasive surgeries such as laparoscopic surgery.

However, only 27% of people aged 50 to 75 are diagnosed, so that most cancers are detected at an advanced stage, which greatly complicates their treatment.

In addition to checks after 50 years, experts say that it is necessary to improve the daily diet. A diet rich in red meats and cooked sausages and low in vegetables is badociated with an increased risk of CRC. AA balanced diet is indicated not only to prevent CRC but also for other chronic diseases such as coronary arteries, including calcium-rich foods such as dairy products in the diet. It is also suggested to suppress smoking, reduce alcohol consumption, avoid sedentary lifestyle and obesity.

Colonoscopy: a safe and effective practice

"The prevention of colorectal cancer is essentially done with two methods of diagnosis. the blood hidden in the feces, that the patient can do at home using a device provided by the doctor. The second study, more precise and more efficient, is the colonoscopy, first option for patients considered "at risk" for having a family history of the disease or for having suffered from inflammatory bowel disease, "said Dr. Lisandro Pereyra (MN: 107.475), a member of the ENDIBA Scientific Association (Digestive Endoscopists of Buenos Aires).

For his part, Dr. Leandro Steinberg (MN: 132.352), also from ENDIBA, explained that "fecal occult blood testing detects early stage cancers, while colonoscopy can also provide evidence of polyps, which are the precursor lesions that give rise to colon cancer ".

While colonoscopy This is done with state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified professionalsthere is prolonged and unfounded fear, discomfort and even modesty, which most patients retreat from practicing this practice.

Experts point out that the Colonoscopy is a totally safe test that, if it does not show any abnormality, it will only be necessary to repeat it ten years later. To the extent that it is positive, the risk will be evaluated to determine the frequency of future studies. "In 80% of cases, we find benign polyps that are removed during the same procedure, depending on their characteristics, it will be decided when the procedure should be repeated," says Pereyra.

"This abnormal growth of cells takes 10 to 15 years to develop, which gives us the opportunity to anticipate," explains Steinberg. He explains that "colon cancer has a sequence that is originally called carcinoma adenoma.This process, the polyp develops in the mucosa that covers the large intestine until it gives rise to a cancer that, as it develops, begins to invade the lining of the intestine and spreads. "However, this enormous amount of time does not seem to be enough to avoid the considerable number of deaths that this cancer causes.

Juan Carlos Patrón Uriburu – MN (87532) – surgeon member of the Argentine Association of Surgery and Coloproctology of the British Hospital of Buenos Aires, emphasized that "colonoscopy is currently the tool for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Colon diseases, as well as cancers of the colon and rectum, involves visualizing the inner lining of the colon (mucous membrane) with the help of an endoscope that, introduced through the anus, pbades through the 39, full colon until reaching a blind area called, even in some situations you can enter the last few inches of the small intestine. "

He added: "It is performed under general anesthesia and in accordance with safety standards for cardiac monitoring. and can diagnose and resect polyps. It must be kept in mind that the most effective way to avoid the formation of colon cancer is precisely this procedure that can detect and eliminate polyps. What does it mean? That all colon cancers come from a polyp. A polyp is an abnormal growth of the intestinal mucosa. "

When is it advisable to do it

"It is recommended that all patients with colonic symptoms or asymptomatic patients aged 50 years or older undergo colonoscopy to detect and remove polyps or diagnose tumors at an early stage", did he declare. Uriburu

Although in some cases the recommendation to start with controls has been changed from 50 to 45 years. Indeed, there is an increase of this pathology in the world and its appearance at an earlier age.

"However, there is a group of patients who are called high risk and are those with a family history of cancer or polyps. These include hereditary non-polyposis cancer syndromes, familial polyposis with its variants and inflammatory diseases. These patients require specific control and early start of studies, so it is necessary to start the consultation with the specialist doctor, "concluded Patrón Uriburu.

From the Ministry of Health of the City of Buenos Aires, they pointed out that at the hospital of Dr. Carlos Bonorino's gastroenterology in Udaondo, the group of inflammatory diseases led by Dr. Alicia Sambuelli had registered 4061 patients with colon cancer. Regarding the surgical treatment of colorectal cancers About 60 cases a year are operated on for colon cancer and rectal cancer. Receive about four new cases a month.

"Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the country, and after gynecological cancer it has the same rate as road accidents, but if diagnosed at an early stage, the chances of recovery are 90%., for that we must be aware and inform the population of the importance of conducting studies"said Dr. Fabio Nachman, head of the gastroenterology department of the Favaloro Foundation's University Hospital.

– The scientific badociation ENDIBA (digestive endoscopists of Buenos Aires) launched the campaign # HaceteUnaColonoscopía. Julian Weich, Mario Pergolini, Maria Julia Oliván, Luis Rubio and Marcelo Bonelli put their image and their voice at the service of this vital campaign, with the aim of generating a greater arrival and a mbadive diffusion through social networks and the media Communication. all the countries.

– The Favaloro University Hospital Foundation launches a campaign in #DiaMundialDelCáncerDeColon with an action called #YoAmoLaVida, aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of conducting diagnostic studies.

-FUCA raises public awareness of colorectal cancer with the #MARZOZUL campaign to raise awareness in the community about the prevention and early detection of this disease.