The Oncology Center of the Social Security Institute of the State of Mexico and Municipalities (Issemym) attends approximately 200 new cases annually related to colon and rectal cancer, ranking as one of the types with the highest incidence, below cervical cancer, breast and prostate.
The oncologist surgeon assigned to this center, Andrés Blanco Salazar, pointed out that colon cancer is one of the most frequent neoplasms; for example, in the national context, it represents the third place of incidence, with 7.6 percent of neoplasms, only after breast and prostate; in the case of men, colon cancer represents the second type in order of frequency; for women, it is the third place as a cause of cancer, after breast and cervical.
The specialist mentioned that this type of neoplasm is the third cause of death from cancer in Mexico, therefore, he reiterated the importance of eating a healthy, low-fat diet, performing physical activity frequently and in case of presenting any symptoms, go with the specialist.
Stated that rectal cancer tends to have a higher incidence in men and colon cancer in women, and in most patients it is diagnosed in stage two or three, that is, classified as advanced cases.
“Fortunately we do not have many cases in metastatic stages, that is, the tumor has gone to the liver or lung; but we do have patients with somewhat advanced disease ”.
The specialist in gastrointestinal tumors explained that this type of disease has at least three options for its treatment: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Risk factor’s
Among the main risk factors for developing this type of cancer are: a diet low in fiber and rich in refined flours, in animal fats; age; in addition to other hereditary factors, such as patients with Lynch Syndrome, although this type of situation is rare, representing less than five percent of total cases.
“The most important thing is the lifestyle, each time our lifestyle is more like the American lifestyle and that has caused colon cancer in our country to have had a rebound in the last five or 10 years.”
Age of diagnosis
The specialist pointed out that the age of diagnosis is generally from 40 years, and with advancing age also increases the risk, since after 50 years the signs are more evident.
“Today colon cancer is curable, even in advanced stages, it requires the possibility that the patient can be cured, of course, the more advanced the less possibilities.”
recommendations
From the age of 50, a colonoscopy is performed, every five years, or a rectosigmoidoscopy, in addition to a stool occult blood test, every three years, as a preventive examination.
MMCF
– .
