OR colorectal cancer (or large intestine/colon and rectum), which was what struck Peleresults in 900,000 annual deaths worldwide, second only to lung cancer.
In Brazil, the disease is the second most common cancer in both men and women, with 45,630 new cases each year.
Colorectal cancer (large intestine and rectum) is the second most malignant cancer, excluding skin cancer non-melanoma, more common in men and women, second only, respectively, to prostate cancer it’s mom
A total of 45,630 new annual cases of colorectal cancer are expected for each year of the three-year period (2023-2025) in Brazil, according to Inca (National Cancer Institute). They are 23,660 in women and 21,970 in men.
In the world, colorectal cancer represents 10% of all cancer types, with 1.9 million new cases each year and 935,000 deaths, according to the Globocan survey, by the WHO (World Health Organization) .
Oncological surgeon and president of SBCO (Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery), Héber Salvador, explains that colorectal cancer can develop silently for a while, without showing any symptoms and the discovery often occurs through a screening test.
Colonoscopy is essential from age 50 in people without symptoms – or age 40, if there’s a history of cancer in the family. This test can prevent the disease, because, through it, it is possible to remove polyps, which are lesions trapped in the wall of the intestine that could turn into cancer. Jewish Salvador, oncological surgeon and president of the SBC
When discovered in an early stage, still limited to the site of origin, colorectal cancer has a cure rate of over 90%. When it has spread to the lymph nodes, the rate drops to 70%. In case of metastases, the chances of recovery do not reach 20%.
Can colonoscopy prevent disease?
- Colorectal cancer can develop silently for a while without showing any symptoms.
- When the patient has symptoms, it may already be a sign of more advanced disease.
- For this reason, it is essential to execute colonoscopy from the age of 50 in people –or age 40 if there is a family history of cancer.
- This test can prevent the diseasebecause, through it, it is possible to remove polyps, which are lesions trapped in the wall of the intestine that could turn into cancer.
What are the causes?
Although it can develop in young people, colorectal cancer is more common after age 50. Therefore, age is considered to be one of the focus points for the onset of the disease. But that is not all. The main risk factors for colorectal cancer are:
- Unhealthy eating habits: diet low in fiber, with excessive consumption of processed foods and obesity of red meat;
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Smoking and heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- Family history of colorectal, ovarian, uterine and/or breast cancer;
- Pre-existing diseases such as chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and inherited bowel disease.
What symptoms?
Colorectal cancer, in its early stages, rarely has specific symptoms.. However, some signs may appear that indicate changes and deserve attention:
- Presence of blood in the stool;
- Alternation between diarrhea and constipation;
- Change in the shape of the stool (very thin and long);
- Weight loss with no apparent cause;
- Feeling weak and/or diagnosed with anemia;
- Abdominal pain or discomfort e
- Presence of an abdominal mass (which may be indicative of a tumor).
If you frequently show any of these signs, it is important to go through the evaluation of a specialized doctor. In addition to cancer, these events may indicate the presence of other diseases that also need treatment.
