The general surgeon at King Abdullah Medical Complex stressed the importance of early screening for colorectal cancer in order to reduce the risk of infection, and limit the development and spread of the disease, and related complications. Dr. Rothana Al-Nahari said that the colon is the large intestine (the last part of the digestive system), and its average length is approximately 150 cm. Its function is to remove undigested food, and it has a role in the digestion process. Because it contains bacteria, it is also responsible for the formation of intestinal gases, and the reabsorption of water and salts. She said that it is believed that most colon and rectal cancers begin with the growth of polyps in the inner lining of the colon or rectum, and some types of polyps – but not all – can change. to become cancer, and this may take several years; So the chance of turning into cancer depends on the type of adenoids.
Dr. Al-Nahari pointed out that the importance of raising awareness of colorectal cancer lies in the fact that globally it is the third most common cancer among males, and the second most common cancer among females worldwide. Dr. Al-Nahari cited research results that showed that more than half of the cases of colorectal cancer were found in developed countries locally, and the average age at diagnosis is 60 years for males and 57 years for females. Although there is no clear causal relationship to colorectal cancer, there is a strong relationship between colorectal cancer and the following risk factors: family history of colorectal tumors, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, diet and inflammatory bowel disease.
It showed that most people with colorectal cancer do not experience any symptoms. This is because symptoms often appear several years after the formation of cancer, but patients with cancer may suffer from different, non-specific symptoms of the disease, such as: the presence of blood (whether it is light or very dark in color) in the stool, a change in the shape of the stool to become thinner, constipation or Persistent diarrhoea, the feeling that the intestines are not emptying all of its contents, a constant feeling of weakness or fatigue, weight loss without knowing the cause, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. Dr. Al Nahari emphasized that all studies showed the importance of early screening for colorectal cancer, and the age of early screening has been changed from 50 years to 46 years due to the frequent occurrence of this disease at younger ages.
With regard to early screening methods for colorectal cancer, she explained that colonoscopy is one of the best ways to screen for colorectal cancer. She said that there are examples of other screening tools such as stool examination and virtual colonoscopy. Early screening for colorectal cancer is performed at the age of 45, and it is repeated every 7-10 years. And she advised that people who have an increased chance of developing cancer should do these checks early compared to others. These people are: those with a family history of colorectal cancer, people with symptoms of the disease, and those with a genetic defect that leads to an increased incidence of cancer.
It indicated that the available treatment options are divided according to the stage of the disease detected as follows:
The first and second stages: for precancerous polyps, so the removal is by colonoscopy for cancer, and it is confined to the colon, and its treatment is surgical removal.
The third stage of cancer: it is the cancer that has spread from the colon to the lymph nodes, and its treatment is surgical removal and chemotherapy for a period ranging between 3-6 months.
The fourth stage: the spread of the disease to neighboring organs, and this requires advanced treatments, and the presentation of the case to the oncology department to obtain the opinions of other specialties concerned with the treatment of the patient’s condition.
And it showed that the prevention of colorectal cancer – God willing – is through early examination, which is the best and most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer – God willing -. There are other contributing factors such as:
Paying attention to food, by reducing animal fats, increasing fruits, vegetables and whole grains, stopping smoking, physical exercise, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Source: previously.