Learn about preventing, diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer

In Brazil, colorectal cancer is the third type of neoplasm with the highest incidence in the population, with approximately 40,000 new cases diagnosed each year. In 2020 alone, 20,540 new cases of colorectal cancer were recorded in men and 20,470 in women, with estimated incidences of 9.1% and 9.2%, respectively.

Beatrice Suzuki, 29, is one of those diagnosed with the disease and has gone through the entire process of diagnosis and treatment at the Unified Health System (SUS), Barrettos (SP) and the region.

In March 2018, after severe abdominal pain and bleeding, she went to the Basic Health Unit (UBS) in Clementina City (SP), where she was living at the time, and reported what was happening, and the GP asked for a colonoscopy test. At the consultation with the proctologist who obtained the result, Beatrice was informed that the biopsy was positive for colorectal cancer. Then the doctor referred her for treatment at Madinah Specialized Hospital.

“I received a lot of support and encouragement from the team and my first appointment with my oncologist was scheduled for three weeks after diagnosis,” he recalls. Currently, I am on a semi-annual follow-up with blood tests and imaging. But after diagnosis I had four surgeries, two of which were emergency, plus chemotherapy and I’ve still had a colostomy bag for 10 months. It was all done by SUS,” he says.

On this National Colon and Rectal Cancer Day (27/3), Giuliana Resende, director of the Department of Health Promotion at the Department of Health, is recommending residents the same path Beatriz is taking. “Primary care is provided in primary care, except for life-threatening cases, which must go directly to the hospital,” he explains. “At UBS, a health professional will guide the citizen, order and perform tests, and make referrals for specialist care,” the director explains.

How to detect

Colorectal cancer includes tumors that begin in the large intestine (colon), rectum (end of the intestine), and the anus. It is treatable, and when caught early it is usually curable.

The most common signs and symptoms are: blood in the stool; recurrent abdominal pain and cramps lasting more than 30 days; a change in bowel rhythm recently – when an individual who has had normal bowel function begins diarrhea or constipation -; Rapid and unintended weight loss. Anemia, fatigue and weakness.
The good news is that early detection of the disease is possible. Most tumors from benign lesions, adenomatous polyps, develop for a period of 10 to 15 years, therefore, there is a very long preclinical period that can be detected.

Similar to cervical cancer, bowel cancer has the peculiarity of enabling both disease prevention, through identification and removal of intestinal polyps – which leads to a reduction in the incidence of cancer – as well as detection in primary states. When treated properly, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 90%, which greatly reduces the mortality rate.

Primary care managers and health professionals play an important role in this phase. To help citizens determine if they have colorectal cancer, it is recommended that teams, as well as the federal administration, widely disseminate warning signs, which can include distributing posters, online communication on social networks, and taking specific action on the streets, among others. Other actions,” instructs Patricia Isetti, radiation oncologist and general coordinator for chronic disease prevention and tobacco control at the Ministry of Health.

It also states that users need immediate access to diagnostic procedures for suspected cases and access to appropriate and timely treatment, with referral to specialist care (specialist physician) once the need is identified.

protection

Among the risk factors for the development of colorectal cancer are: excessive consumption of red or processed meat, excessive alcohol intake, diet low in fruit and fiber, age 50 years or older, obesity, lack of physical activity and smoking. Genetic factors such as a family history of colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyposis also contribute, as well as chronic conditions such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) and type 2 diabetes.

However, it is possible to prevent this condition. “As with most chronic noncommunicable diseases, colorectal cancer prevention involves adopting a healthy lifestyle.”

The main guidelines for colorectal cancer prevention are:

Regular physical activity. It is recommended for adults and the elderly to perform at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, preferably distributed over different days and times, which may include aerobic activities (walking, running, swimming, cycling, etc.), and strengthening muscles. and bone stretches;
Maintaining an appropriate weight.
Make fresh or minimally processed foods the basis of the diet.
Reduce the amount of oils, fats, salt and sugar.
Reduce consumption of processed foods.
Avoid consuming ultra-processed foods;
Eat at least three servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables per day;
It is preferable to eat whole grains, such as rice, bread, oats, barley, etc. (see more tips at nutricao.saude.gov.br);
Drink at least two liters (six to eight glasses) of water per day;
Reduce consumption of red meat.
Avoid consuming salted and processed meats, such as ham, bologna, bacon, sausages, sausages and other sausages and smoked meats.
Maintaining an appropriate weight.
Avoid and / or reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages;
Do not smoke and avoid environments where others smoke.
For more information and recommendations on an active lifestyle and adequate and healthy nutrition, see the Guide to Physical Activity for the Brazilian Population and Food Guide for the Brazilian Population.

Prepare

Colorectal cancer is the second most common type of tumor globally (incidence rate of 21.8 / 100 thousand inhabitants) and the third most common in men (incidence rate of 26.6 / 100 thousand inhabitants). The death rate from this type of cancer in Brazil in 2019 was 8.92 per 100,000 people, of which 10,191 deaths were among men and 10,385 deaths among women, and the crude death rate was 8.99 / 100 thousand and 8.85/100 thousand, respectively. .

Excluding non-melanoma skin tumors, colorectal cancer in men is the second most common in the Southeast (28.62/100 thousand) and the Midwest (15.40/100 thousand). In the south (25.11 / 100 thousand) it is the third most common neoplasm. In the northeast (8.91 / 100 thousand) and in the north (5.27 / 100 thousand) it occupies the fourth place. For women, it is second most prevalent in the southeast (26.18 / 100 thousand) and in the south (23.65 / 100 thousand). In the Midwest (15.24 / 100 thousand), the northeast (10.79 / 100 thousand) and the north (6.48 / 100 thousand) is the third most common accident. Data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca).