In the United States, 150,000 cases of colon and rectal cancer are diagnosed annually, said oncologist Vakkas Tai.

Colon cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of death worldwide.

Tatiana Cruz

November 08, 2024 | | Reading time: 3 min.

Colon cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Photo: Shutterstock

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the colon or rectum. This cancer is one of the most common types worldwide. worldaccompanied by lung and breast cancer.

In addition, oncologists are sounding the alarm as they encounter increasingly younger patients.

Early detection of colon cancer can save lives

According to the Spanish Digestive Foundation, the cure rate for this type of cancer reaches 90% of cases. If detected early, gastrointestinal symptoms may indicate the presence of this tumor.

According to oncologist Wakkas Tai, a colorectal cancer specialist in the United States, 150,000 cases of colorectal tumors are diagnosed each year. It also reaches out to the community. “Please see your healthcare provider and get a routine colonoscopy,” he says. “They are very easy to make and can save your life.”

Five signs we should pay attention to in everyday life

1) Thin chair. According to Tai’s oncologist, this is a “worrying symptom.” This may mean that there is a tumor in or near the rectum that is blocking transit and putting pressure on it, causing the stool to look like this.

2) Blood in the stool: “Hemorrhoids cannot simply be normalized, you need to go to the doctor.” Besides the presence of a tumor, there are many reasons that can cause colorectal bleeding, and these range from a fissure or polyp to an inflammatory disease such as Crohn’s disease. In any case, immediate medical examination is required.

3) Anemia. Lack of iron in the blood can recur for several reasons, but this symptom occurs in 30-75% of colorectal cancer cases, warns expert Tai. “This is the first thing we look at to make a diagnosis. A healthy man doesn’t have to be anemic, and neither does a woman if she doesn’t have heavy periods,” he says.

4) Severe constipation and diarrhea. Although both can occur due to other medical conditions or even changes in lifestyle and consumption habits, the fact of alternating between one and the other is a sign of an intestinal disorder. Therefore, it is extremely important to undergo a colonoscopy to exclude the presence of a tumor, the expert warns.

5) Weight loss, fever and night sweats: these are non-specific symptoms, but in combination with the others on the list they clearly indicate the presence of a tumor. “We call them ‘B symptoms’: if you eat but don’t stop losing weight, if you have random temperature spikes during the day, if you wake up sweating at night – these are all clear signs. possible cancer,” Tai added.

It is extremely important to conduct periodic examinations for timely detection of the disease.

Source consulted here

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