Colonoscopy, the most accurate test to prevent colon cancer


What is the colon cancer or colorectal CRC?
It is cancer that affects the large intestine. This disease is common and deadly. More than 90% develop from a polyp, which is initially benign, but over time grows and produces cancer. It is the third most common cause of cancer death in women and the second in men in the United States.

Does this disease only affect people over 50 years of age?
The incidence of colon cancer in men and women under 50 years of age has presented a significant increase in recent years. Since 2015, there has been a 30% increase in cancer in 40-year-olds. Current literature suggests that more than 86% of people diagnosed before the age of 50 have symptoms and are in an advanced stage of the disease, with a worse prognosis.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
It is possible that the colon cancer do not cause any symptoms at first. But when it does cause symptoms, the most common are abdominal pain, a change in your bowel movements (number, texture, color, or size), blood in your stool, anemia, and weight loss.

Is there a test for colon cancer?
There are different tests that can detect colon cancer. Colonoscopy is the most accurate and versatile diagnostic test, as it can locate and biopsie lesions in the large intestine, as well as detect and remove polyps. There are others that can identify this disease such as: computed tomography, blood and stool tests (the stool DNA test looks for genetic markers). The doctor is the one who evaluates which is better for the patient.

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“With colonoscopy, the polyp is detected, which is the stage where colon cancer develops, and at this stage it is entirely preventable” Dr. Pedro Ovalle Internal medicine and gastroenterologist

Who should be screened for colon cancer?
Protocols recommend that most people begin screening for the colon cancer at 45 years old. Those who are at higher risk of contracting colon cancer sometimes they start testing at a younger age, as young as 40. That could include people with a strong family history of colon cancer or other diseases of the colon.

How is the detection colon cancer?
The detection of colon cancer It is a way that doctors examine the colon for signs of cancer or growths (called polyps) that could become cancer. It is done in people who have no symptoms and no reason to think they have cancer. The goal is to find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer, or to find cancer early, before it grows, spreads, or causes problems. Studies show that getting screened for colon cancer significantly reduces the chance of dying from this cancer.

How is it treated?
Most types of colon cancer are treated with one or more of the following: surgery to remove the affected part of the colon; chemotherapy, which is the medical term for drugs that kill cancer cells or keep them from growing; and radiotherapy.

How often should the person be examined?
This depends on the patient’s risk of presenting colon cancer and the test they do. People who are at high risk of colon cancer they need to be tested more often and have a colonoscopy; There is a protocol for colonoscopy or screening that will depend on your doctor’s evaluation.

What percentage survive this cancer if it is detected early?
With colonoscopy, the polyp is detected, which is the phase where the colon develops. colon cancer, and at this stage it is entirely preventable. If he colon cancer it is in an initial phase and removal by colonoscopy is not possible, it refers to surgery and in this phase it is also curable. But when the diagnosis is made at an advanced stage, many times, even if it is operated, the cancer has already invaded the liver and/or other organs.

Source-www.diariolibre.com