Colon Cancer (Colorectal Cancer)

Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled proliferation of cells. Colon cancer ranks third among all cancers in our country.

Risk factors

Modifiable risk factors for colon cancer include:

• Being overweight or obese
• not being physically active
• Consuming large amounts of processed (sausage, salami, etc.) or unprocessed red meat (beef, lamb, liver, etc.)
• Using tobacco products, including cigarettes
• drinking too much alcohol
• Non-modifiable risk factors for colon cancer include:
• Getting older: The risk of colon cancer increases with age.
• Having large bowel polyps
• The person has inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
• A previous history of colon cancer
• Having a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
• Having an inherited syndrome (such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome)
• Having type 2 diabetes

Symptoms

Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea-constipation and these changes last longer than a few days

A feeling that the bowels are not fully emptied

Appearance of blood (bright or dark red) in the stool and/or darkening of the stool color

Abdominal bloating, cramp-like pain or gas

Weight loss for no known reason

Weakness and fatigue

Diagnosis

It usually gives symptoms as the disease progresses. Therefore, screening is very important to detect polyps and cancer early. Cancer development is prevented by detecting and removing non-cancerous polyp tumors with screening, and in cases with advanced cancer, life expectancy and quality are increased with early diagnosis.

Colon cancer screenings across the country; A fast, practical and convenient solution for male and female population between 50-70 years of age with stool occult blood kit in Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Education Centers (KETEM), Community Health Centers (TSM), Healthy Life Centers (SHM) and Family Health Centers (ASM). reliably done free of charge every 2 years. Colonoscopy screening is recommended for people aged 50-70 years, every 10 years.

Individuals with a family history of colon polyps, colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Disease or hereditary polyposis or non-polyposis syndrome are started to be screened from the age of 40.

Treatment

Different treatment options such as surgery, drug therapy (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy (radiotherapy) are applied in colon cancer.

Protection

One of the most important steps to be taken to prevent colon cancer is screening;

Maintaining and maintaining a healthy weight

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables

Increasing the consumption of foods with high fiber content. The foods with the highest fiber content are respectively; legumes, cereals, vegetables and fruits.

Doing 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity a day (such as brisk walking, cycling)

Not smoking and alcohol use