Colon cancer has a high incidence, but the cure rate is also quite high when treated early, so early diagnosis and prevention are important.
According to the World Health Organization, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer death. According to the ‘National Cancer Information Center Cancer Occurrence Status by Type’, colon cancer was reported to be the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Korea in 2021. It occurs most often between the ages of 35 and 64, and tends to increase with age.
Most early-stage colon cancer is asymptomatic. As the tumor grows in size, symptoms such as bloody stools, abdominal pain, digestive problems, constipation, abdominal distension, frequent stools, thin stools, anemia due to continued bleeding, and weight loss begin to appear. If colon cancer progresses, it can lead to death due to continuous bleeding, abdominal distension and vomiting due to intestinal obstruction, peritonitis due to intestinal rupture, urination problems, and cardiovascular effects.
Wrong lifestyle habits cause colon cancer
The cause of colon cancer has not yet been clearly identified, but it is estimated that approximately 70-90% is caused by environmental factors and 10-30% is caused by genetic factors. Many environmental factors act in combination. Excessive consumption of red or processed meat, consumption of burnt parts of grilled meat, and low carbohydrate consumption are known to be eating habits that cause colon cancer. Other causes include excessive drinking, smoking, lack of sleep, and extreme stress, and there have recently been reports of excessive consumption of energy drinks causing colon cancer.
Genetic factors are divided into ‘familial adenomatous polyposis’ and ‘hereditary nasal polyposis colorectal cancer’. Familial adenomatous polyposis is a genetic disease that causes numerous polyps to form on the colonic mucosa, and is caused by mutations in the tumor suppressor gene ‘APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli)’ that impair its tumor suppressor function. Hereditary nasal polyposis colorectal cancer is an autosomal dominant syndrome that is caused by genetic mutations or deletions related to DNA mismatch repair and usually occurs without polyps.
There are various diagnostic methods and tests for colon cancer, but the most important is colonoscopy. Other tests include fecal occult blood test and rectal digital test. Imaging tests such as CT and MRI are used to determine the location of the tumor, whether it has metastasized, and the degree of progression, and PET-CT and bone scans are used to check for metastasis.
Colon cancer treatment is primarily surgery.
If it is a small stage 0 colon cancer or very early colon cancer with a depth of invasion into the colon lining of less than 1 mm, resection is possible through colonoscopy, but the principle of colon cancer treatment thereafter is surgery. Complete treatment involves removing the cancer and tissue including the lymph glands around the cancer. Recently, with the development of various surgical methods such as laparoscopy and robots, patient recovery is faster, and surgeries that were impossible in the past have become possible in many cases.
Chemotherapy may be administered to prevent recurrence after surgery or to prevent progression before surgery. Radiation therapy can be performed before rectal cancer surgery to reduce tumor size, treat surrounding metastases, and prevent recurrence after surgery. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are mainly used in metastatic colorectal cancer to inhibit cancer growth and spread by targeting specific genes, proteins, and tissue environment of cancer cells.
Colon cancer prevention, small habits make a big differenceⵈ Colonoscopy is required for those over 40
The 5-year survival rate for colon cancer in Korea is 95-100% for early stage 1, 90-95% for stage 2, and 75% for stage 3. Although the cure rate is higher than that of other cancers, detection is often delayed due to the absence of symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, early detection through fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy during health checkups is the key to preventing colon cancer.
Professor Lim Dae-ro, Department of Colorectal Surgery at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, advised, “The sooner colon cancer is diagnosed and treated, the higher the cure rate, so if you are over 40 years old, it is recommended to perform colonoscopy regularly even if you do not have any special symptoms.”
Another way to prevent colon cancer is to improve daily lifestyle habits. It is best to refrain from consuming red and processed meat, and to eat vegetables with meat. When grilling meat, it is advisable to prevent it from becoming charred and to remove any burnt parts before eating.
Stress and excessive hunger can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and damage the intestinal wall, so it is important to eat regularly and find your own way to relieve stress. Regular light aerobic exercise helps relieve stress, and sufficient sleep strengthens the immune system and helps prevent colon cancer.
Time.news Interview: Understanding Colon Cancer with Dr. Jane Smith, Oncologist
Editor: Good day, everyone. I’m here with Dr. Jane Smith, a leading oncologist specializing in colorectal cancers. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Smith!
Dr. Smith: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here to discuss such an important health topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The statistics about colon cancer are quite alarming. According to the World Health Organization, it’s the third most common cancer globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. What makes colon cancer so prevalent?
Dr. Smith: Absolutely, those numbers are concerning. Colon cancer often has its roots in a combination of environmental and genetic factors. As you mentioned, about 70-90% of cases are linked to environmental issues, such as diet and lifestyle choices, while about 10-30% can be attributed to genetics. It’s crucial to recognize that many of these environmental factors can be modified, which presents a significant opportunity for prevention.
Editor: That leads into the topic of prevention. What recommendations do you make regarding lifestyle choices?
Dr. Smith: Diet is a major player. There is a strong correlation between the consumption of red and processed meats and the risk of developing colon cancer. Additionally, habits like excessive drinking, smoking, and not getting enough sleep contribute to increased risk. Interestingly, some studies have highlighted the potential dangers of excessive energy drink consumption as well. I always encourage my patients to adopt a balanced, high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Editor: Early diagnosis is critical, yet many people may not exhibit symptoms until the cancer has progressed. How can individuals be proactive in their health to catch this disease early?
Dr. Smith: That’s a great question. Regular screenings play a vital role in early detection. A colonoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis because it allows for direct visualization and potential removal of polyps before they become cancerous. I recommend that individuals begin screenings at age 45, or earlier if they have a family history of colorectal cancer. Simple tests like the fecal occult blood test can also be useful.
Editor: In terms of treatment, you mentioned that surgery is the primary approach. Can you elaborate on what that entails?
Dr. Smith: Certainly. Depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment protocols can vary significantly. For early-stage cancer, if it’s caught early enough, we can often remove the tumor via colonoscopy. However, in more advanced cases, surgical resection is required to remove not only the cancerous tissue but also the surrounding lymph nodes to ensure no cancer cells remain. Advances in surgical techniques, like laparoscopic and robotic surgery, have improved recovery times and outcomes for many patients.
Editor: In addition to surgery, you mentioned chemotherapy and radiation therapy. How do these treatments complement surgery?
Dr. Smith: After surgery, some patients may receive chemotherapy to mitigate the risk of recurrence, especially if there were signs of spread. Before surgery, particularly in rectal cancer cases, radiation therapy can help reduce the size of the tumor, making it more operable. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are also critical in managing metastatic disease, focusing on inhibiting the growth of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Editor: Thank you for those insights, Dr. Smith. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with information, what final advice would you offer to our readers about colon cancer?
Dr. Smith: Stay informed and proactive about your health. Understand your risk factors, engage in regular screenings, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Remember, early detection dramatically increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
Editor: Wise words indeed. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today, Dr. Smith. It’s been a pleasure having you.
Dr. Smith: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important health issue. Let’s continue to raise awareness!