Doc Alan
2nd April 2012, 20:15
This month has been named “ Kapit-Bisig Sa Paglaban Sa Colorectal Cancer “ by the Department of Health and others. Health Secretary Enrique Ona claimed this cancer affected about 5,800 filipinos in 2010, and recommends screening over the age of 50. It’s the fourth leading cancer site (after breast, lung and liver ), and I suspect the true numbers are higher. President Corazon Aquino – and also Ronald Reagan – suffered from it.
In the UK it affects about 40,000 each year, the third site ( after breast and lung ).
Most develop after the age of 60 – it’s rare under 40, and affects men and women equally. Symptoms include :
• Blood in stools ( “ poo “ / faeces ).
• Changed bowel habit ( diarrhoea / constipation ).
• Unexplained weight loss.
Risk factors are either
• Controllable
1. Diet rich in fat and low in fibre ( link with red / processed meat - already a forum thread ).
2. Lack of exercise and obesity.
3. Excess alcohol and smoking.
• Uncontrollable
1. Age.
2. Family history and inherited conditions ( may develop at young age ).
Change of lifestyle and low dose daily aspirin ( only on advice from doctor – already another forum thread ) can reduce the chances of getting this cancer.
If it does develop, treatment is MUCH more likely to be effective if it is detected at an early stage, before it has spread beyond the bowel. Probably 9 / 10 cases can be successfully treated with early detection. It’s one cancer where survival has improved in recent years :).
In the UK, there has been screening by the NHS for the past few years, offered to those aged 60 ( + ).
This tests stool samples for blood, which may not be visible. Bowel cancers ( and polyps which may lead to cancers ) can bleed and so a positive test would indicate further investigation ( colonoscopy ). There are other causes of bleeding, and a negative test doesn’t rule out cancer. However, polyps can easily be surgically removed, and a cancer detected in this way has a much better chance of cure by removal.
This doesn’t just apply to older people. A healthy lifestyle – moderation :) – helps avoid problems in later life, and SOME bowel cancers do affect young people.
In the UK it affects about 40,000 each year, the third site ( after breast and lung ).
Most develop after the age of 60 – it’s rare under 40, and affects men and women equally. Symptoms include :
• Blood in stools ( “ poo “ / faeces ).
• Changed bowel habit ( diarrhoea / constipation ).
• Unexplained weight loss.
Risk factors are either
• Controllable
1. Diet rich in fat and low in fibre ( link with red / processed meat - already a forum thread ).
2. Lack of exercise and obesity.
3. Excess alcohol and smoking.
• Uncontrollable
1. Age.
2. Family history and inherited conditions ( may develop at young age ).
Change of lifestyle and low dose daily aspirin ( only on advice from doctor – already another forum thread ) can reduce the chances of getting this cancer.
If it does develop, treatment is MUCH more likely to be effective if it is detected at an early stage, before it has spread beyond the bowel. Probably 9 / 10 cases can be successfully treated with early detection. It’s one cancer where survival has improved in recent years :).
In the UK, there has been screening by the NHS for the past few years, offered to those aged 60 ( + ).
This tests stool samples for blood, which may not be visible. Bowel cancers ( and polyps which may lead to cancers ) can bleed and so a positive test would indicate further investigation ( colonoscopy ). There are other causes of bleeding, and a negative test doesn’t rule out cancer. However, polyps can easily be surgically removed, and a cancer detected in this way has a much better chance of cure by removal.
This doesn’t just apply to older people. A healthy lifestyle – moderation :) – helps avoid problems in later life, and SOME bowel cancers do affect young people.