March marks the beginning of a month dedicated to preventing colon cancer, a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine, the last part of the digestive tract.
As the Spanish population tends to develop colorectal cancer at an advanced stage due to the lack of necessary medical tests in early detection, experts remember that tests can save lives.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is a disease in which the cells of the colon or rectum multiply out of control.
Dr. Diego Marine, a colorectal surgeon, indicates that it is one of the cancers with the highest mortality in the country.
“Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and unfortunately the second most common cause of death in the United States, and it’s a cancer that has no symptoms at first, and when it causes symptoms of bleeding or pain, it may be more advanced,” he said.
The key to early detection of colorectal cancer is regular colonoscopy, beginning at age 45, to reduce the risk of death. Although Dr. Marine recommends that people who have had family members with this disease get this test done before.
“It has been said that 25% of colorectal cancers are linked to a genetic mutation, and those cancers sometimes occur in young people, sometimes in their 20s, who with the genetic mutation already develop colon cancer.”
According to new statistics from the American Cancer Society, the proportion of colorectal cancer occurring in people younger than 55 years doubled between 1995 and 2019, from 11% to 20%.
Some of the symptoms of colorectal cancer are changes in fecal habits, diarrhea, pain, and risk factor reduction, Dr. Marine recommends consuming red meat and adding fruits, vegetables, and fiber to the diet.
Dr. Marines commented that since 45 years the healthiest insurance fully covers colorectal cancer study and if you don’t have insurance, there are organizations in Houston where they practice this certificate for free.
