Professor from the Department of General Surgery at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital. Dr. Ediz Altınlı gave information about the causes, diagnosis and treatment methods of colon cancer in the “March 1-31 Colon Cancer Awareness Month”.
Professor from the Department of General Surgery at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital. Dr. Ediz Altınlı explained the unknown about colon cancer as follows:
“Colon cancer, also known as bowel cancer among the people, is among the most common cancers in Turkey. It occurs with the uncontrolled growth of cells in the layer on the inner surface of the large intestine. While 80 percent of colon and rectal cancers develop coincidentally, that is, without any defined genetic disorder, 20 percent are hereditary. Constipation, swelling in the abdomen or blood in the stool are among the symptoms of colon cancer. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases 50 to 6 times over the age of 8. Some diseases can also trigger colorectal cancers.”
Mentioning that genetic diseases can cause colon cancer, Prof. Dr. Ediz Altınlı listed some genetic diseases that trigger colon cancer as follows:
“LYNCH syndrome (Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer)
familial adenomatosis polyposis (FAP syndrome)
Previous adenomatosis polyposis”
prof. Dr. Ediz Altınlı said the following about habits that can cause colon and rectal cancer:
“Animal fat consumption, high consumption of red meat, consumption of charred meat such as barbecue, excessive sugar consumption, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol use”
Symptoms may be similar to hemorrhoids
Stating that it can be confused with hemorrhoids in terms of colon cancer symptoms, Altınlı warned that when these symptoms are seen, specialist staff should be consulted and treatment should be started: "Change in defecation habits, constipation, swelling in the abdomen, blood in the stool"