March 1-31 is World Colon Cancer Awareness Month and March 3 is World Colon Cancer Awareness Day. Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. A. Murat Koca shared important information about the factors causing colon cancer and treatment methods within the framework of the special day.
Colon cancer is seen in the large intestines in the last 1,5 – 2 meters of the digestive system. Stating that the rate of cancer increases with aging, experts state that it should be taken if polyps in the large intestine are detected. Experts; He points out that those who eat low in fiber and excessive carbohydrates, consume more meat, have a sedentary lifestyle, and use excessive alcohol and cigarettes are at risk of colon cancer.
Beneficial bacteria aid digestion
Stating that the last 1,5 – 2 meters of the digestive system is defined as the colon, that is, the large intestine, Op. Dr. A. Murat Koca said, “Some vitamins such as water and KB in the residual pulp reaching here are absorbed, acidic foods are neutralized, antibody production is assisted, and then the accumulated stool is expelled from the anus. The beneficial bacteria here aid in digestion. Colon cancer is the name given to cancers arising from the large intestines. said.
Should be removed when polyps are detected
Emphasizing that the rate of cancer increases with aging, Op. Dr. A. Murat Koca said, “Polyp that develops in the large intestine can develop from structures called adenomas, which are generally benign. If adenomas turn into a structure called adenocarcinoma, then cancer develops. Polyps may not cause symptoms, but should be removed when detected.” warned.
Improper diet and lifestyle increase risk
Kiss. Dr. A. Murat Koca shared the risk group for colon cancer as follows:
“Chronic colon diseases and diseases in those who have reached the age of 70 on average, those who are poor in fiber and eat excessive carbohydrates, those who consume a lot of meat and processed meat products, those who have a sedentary lifestyle, those who are obese, those who consume excessive alcohol and cigarettes, those who have a familial genetic predisposition, and those who are exposed to intense environmental pollution and chemicals. There is a risk of colon cancer.”
Attention should be paid to the symptoms…
Kiss. Dr. A. Murat Koca said that in colon cancer, there may be no symptoms at first, but then constipation, weight loss, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, anemia, and general symptoms may appear, and continued his words as follows:
“If the cancer progresses, it can lead to serious problems with intestinal obstruction or intestinal perforation and death. In the diagnosis of colon cancer, examinations are performed after patient analysis and examination. Stool occult blood examination, rectal examination, rectoscopy / colonoscopy, blood cancer tests (CEA), computed tomography and other imaging methods are helpful in diagnosis. Additional surgery may be required after polyps removed at colonoscopy. The main treatment for colon cancer is surgery. The cancerous area is removed, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also used together. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the disease. If there is spread to other organs, treatment should be done for it as well.”
Palliative treatment can be applied for patient comfort
Expressing that the surgical treatment is applied according to the location and stage of the cancer, Op. Dr. A. Murat Koca, In the operation called colectomy, the cancerous part is removed and the intestines are stitched together for passage, or in the operation called Hartmann, after the cancerous part is removed, the colon is sutured to the abdominal wall, so that the intestines are emptied. If there are metastases, a removal procedure called metastasectomy can be performed for them, if possible. If the cancer cannot be removed at all, it is only sutured to the thick wall of the colon with a colostomy and intestinal evacuation is provided from here, but this is a palliative procedure. Palliative treatment is preferred for the comfort of the patient. Ray-radiation therapy is most often applied in the treatment of rectal cancer, which occurs in the last part of the colon. said.
The first 6-7 years are very important in the follow-up
Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Brain Hospital General Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. A. Murat Koca said that the cancer diagnosis and treatment process is a difficult period for patients and concluded his words as follows:
“The support given to the patient is very important in order for the treatment not to be interrupted. Additional treatment, nutrition, follow-up and psychological support should be given by a professional team. Medical follow-up is very important in terms of cancer recurrence, sequelae and complications after the main treatment. In the first 3 years, checks and examinations are made every 3 months. In the next 2 years, controls and examinations are continued every 6 months. Colonoscopy is recommended every year after treatment, if the result is normal, it can be interrupted over time. The first 6-7 years of follow-up are very important. In this way, the patient can be offered a longer life expectancy and a better quality of life. Early diagnosis is always very important in colon cancers and all cancers and affects the chances of recovery. As has always been said, early detection can give you your life back.”
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