Egepol Hospitals Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Işıl Somalı said that as a result of the gradual change in eating habits, the incidence of colon cancer cases has also increased.
Prof. Dr. Somalı stated that excessive consumption of fatty foods, red meat and ready-made foods increases the risk of colon cancer and drew attention to the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Prof. Dr. Işıl Somalı said, “Colon cancer used to be more common in countries like America where fast food and ready-made food are consumed more. We have recently come across such cancer cases more frequently in our country. The frequency of occurrence is also increasing in the 40s. Socio-economic level is also associated with this type of cancer. It is more common in high-income groups because they consume a lot of red meat and fast food.”
THERE MAY ALSO BE A GENETIC PREDICTION
Providing information about the disease, Prof. Dr. Işıl Somalı said, “Colon (bowel) cancer can develop with the formation of polyps on the surface of the intestine and their transformation into cancer over time. The findings can also differ depending on the location of the mass in the intestine. If long-term anemia continues in male patients, this can also be an indicator. Anemia can be seen in menstruating women due to blood loss, but if anemia is detected in women in menopause, the possibility of colon cancer must definitely be investigated.”
Somalı said: “There is also a genetic predisposition in this disease. There are two genetic diseases: Hereditary Nonpolyposis Coli and Adenomatous Polyposis Coli. Hereditary Nonpolyposis Coli can be seen at older ages. Polyps are not densely found in the intestines. There can be genetic transitions in this type. In the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli type, colon cancer is generally present in most of the family and is seen at young ages. If there is anyone else in the family who has this type of cancer at a young age, it should definitely be followed up. There are many polyps in the intestines. In the general approach, the complete removal of the colon is a protective approach in terms of monitoring the patient and preventing cancer.”
EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 45 SHOULD HAVE A COLONOSCOPY…
Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology Specialist Prof. Dr. Işıl Somalı continued his words as follows: “The main diagnosis is made by colonoscopy and biopsy of the mass. The general approach to the treatment of the disease is surgery. Chemotherapy treatment is also given according to the results of the pathology found after the surgery and the stage of the disease. 3-month follow-ups and colonoscopy checks continue after the treatments. Everyone over the age of 45, regardless of gender, should undergo a colonoscopy screening even if they do not have any complaints. If there is a first-degree relative diagnosed with cancer in the family, this screening should be done at the age of 1. Vegetable, fruit, white meat, and fish consumption should be increased. Red meat, packaged, and processed foods should be avoided. If there are complaints such as bleeding in the anus or stool, constant diarrhea or constipation, a specialist physician should be consulted. Early diagnosis increases the success of the treatment and the survival rate.”
