Each year, there are 240,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the region of the Americas, ranking fourth in causes of death, according to the Pan American Health Organization. Likewise, this disease is among the first ten types of cancer that affect men and women in Peru. Colorectal cancer begins in the large intestine (colon), with small, noncancerous (benign) groups of cells called polyps that form inside the colon, eventually becoming cancer. Within the framework of World Colon Cancer Day, Dr. Rafael Garatea, general surgeon and surgical oncologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, will give us valuable information on the subject.

Risk factors

• People over 50 years of age (however, it can occur at any age)
• Personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyposis
• Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease, such as: Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease
• Inherited syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
• Low-fiber, high-fat diet
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Diabetes

Symptoms

The symptoms included in this type of cancer are the following:

• Persistent change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, as well as changes in stool consistency
• Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
• Constant abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas, or pain
• Feeling that the intestine does not empty completely
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Colorectal cancer treatment

Treatments available to help control colorectal cancer include endoscopy/colonoscopy resection, surgery, radiation therapy, and drug treatments such as chemotherapy, molecularly targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.

Prevention

It is important to make changes in daily life to prevent colorectal cancer, such as:

• Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Give up smoking
• Exercise almost every day of the week
• Keep a healthy weight

Recommendations

Our specialist recommends having a colon cancer screening test around the age of 50. However, if they are at higher risk, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, they should consider getting screened sooner.

There are several evaluation options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to discuss your options with your doctor and decide together which tests are most appropriate.

Dr. Rafael Garate
General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma