Colorectal cancers are among the most common types of cancer in the world and in our country. In our country, colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer type in both men and women. Worldwide, there are 1.9 million new cases of colorectal cancer and more than 900,000 deaths from colorectal cancer in a year.
The incidence is higher in Europe, North America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand than in Asia and Africa. Diet, environmental exposure and genetic predisposition are thought to be important factors in this geographical variation. While under 40 years of age colorectal cancer is rare, after 40-50 years of age the incidence starts to increase. 85% of colorectal cancer cases are aged 50 and over.
Polyps and cancers of the large intestine are often asymptomatic until they grow. With screening programs, it is possible to detect and treat adenomatous polyps that have not yet turned into cancer (premalignant) and early localized cancers.
Colorectal cancers, which are largely curable when diagnosed at an early stage, have been shown in many studies to have very positive gains on the incidence and mortality rate of the disease in question with the implementation of screening programs.
In our country, National Standards for Colorectal Cancer Screening have been determined and put into practice. The male and female population between the ages of 50-70 are screened free of charge every 2 years in Community Health Centers (TSM), Cancer Early Detection, Screening and Training Centers (KETEM), Healthy Life Centers (SHM) and Family Health Centers (ASM) in a fast, practical and reliable way with the help of Fecal Occult Cankitis. Within the scope of screening, colonoscopy is also recommended for people in this age group every 10 years. People with positive Fecal Occult Blood Test (FECT) as a result of screening are referred to secondary/tertiary health care institutions for further examination.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors:
Being overweight or obese,
Not being physically active,
Excessive consumption of processed (sausages, salami, etc.) or unprocessed red meat (beef, lamb, liver, etc.),
Use of tobacco and tobacco products,
Alcohol use,
Presence of diabetes and insulin resistance,
Cholecystectomy
Gender (both incidence and mortality rates are significantly higher in men than in women)
Advanced age
Race and ethnicity,
A history of large bowel polyps or colorectal cancer,
Presence of a history of inflammatory bowel disease,
Family history of large bowel polyps or colorectal cancer,
Presence of a hereditary syndrome (Lynch Syndrome, adenomatous and hamartomatous polyposis syndromes, etc.)
Having type 2 diabetes,
Presence of acromegaly,
Having undergone kidney transplantation,
Having received androgen deprivation treatment,
Presence of cystic fibrosis,
History of abdominopelvic radiation.
Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
As with some cancers, colorectal cancers are usually asymptomatic until they grow.The aim should therefore be to detect the tumor before it develops symptoms. Screening a person for cancer before symptoms develop helps to detect polyps and cancer early.Early detection and removal of polyps can prevent the development of colorectal cancer.Treatment of colorectal cancer can also be more effective when it is diagnosed early.
For this reason, screening should be started in people over the age of 50, and in people at increased risk for colorectal cancer, the screening program should be started at an earlier age.
In people who have occult blood in the stool and undergo colonoscopy, cancer development can be prevented by detecting tumors in the form of polyps that have not yet become cancerous, and in cases where cancer has developed, the duration and quality of life increases with early diagnosis.
Large Intestine Cancer Treatment
The main treatment for early stage colorectal cancer is surgery. The part of the intestine containing the tumor and the adjacent lymph nodes are removed in this procedure.
Depending on the stage of the disease, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted drugs and immunotherapy options are available for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal Cancer Prevention Strategies
While one of the most important steps to be taken to prevent colorectal cancers is the screening program, practicing the following healthy life behaviors is also important in preventing colorectal cancers, just like many other cancers:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Limit consumption of red and processed meat and consume more fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Increase the consumption of foods with a high content of pulses (the foods with the highest pulse content are legumes, cereals and vegetables and fruits, respectively).
Doing moderate physical activity for 30-60 minutes a day (brisk walking, cycling, etc.)
Not smoking and not drinking alcohol.