* Surviving colorectal cancer through early detection

[Kano]

Surviving colorectal cancer through early detection    


Business Mirror  29 April 2010

MOST people disregard changes in their bowel movements, often opting to bear the inconvenience of frequenting the toilet or the pain of stomach cramps rather than consulting professional help to trace the root of the problem. More often than not, the problem is "solved" by a few pops of antidiarrhea or anticonstipation tablets. However, such changes in bowel movements can be early symptoms of what has become the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of death among all cancers in the country: colorectal cancer.

During a series of lay fora on colorectal cancer cosponsored by The Medical City (TMC) at the first national convention of the Philippine Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (PSCRS), several myths about colorectal cancer were debunked and a panel of experts presented the new technology and available treatments that make colorectal cancer a highly preventable and curable disease.

Though early detection through a quick screening process can be key to surviving colorectal cancer, most Filipinos know very little about this kind of cancer and its symptoms. Sadly, more than half of colorectal cancer patients in the country are already at a later, much advanced stage of the cancer when they seek medical attention. As in other cancers, the disease is more difficult to treat and patients get a slimmer chance of survival at a higher cancer stage.

According to Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, PSCRS president and head of TMC's Section for Colorectal Surgery, colorectal cancer has become one of the common cancers and causes of death in the Philippines despite the high rate of prevention and cure among patients who are diagnosed early. "It is highly recommendable for people above the age of 50 to be screened for colorectal cancer because early detection of the disease can be the only sure way for them to survive the disease. Evidence shows that screening with fecal occult blood test [and colonoscopy in some cases] among healthy people above the age of 50 significantly decreases the death rate from colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, there is no screening program that has been implemented in the Philippines, so a majority of Filipino patients find out too late that they are suffering from the cancer," explains Dr. Roxas.

Aside from the fact that most Filipinos dismiss changes in their bowel movements, many of them associate blood in their stools with hemorrhoids. However, rectal bleeding can already be a symptom of a more serious problem in the rectum. Dr. Roxas enumerates the misconceptions Filipinos have when it comes to colorectal-cancer treatment and care. "One common misconception is that colorectal-cancer treatment invariably results to a permanent colostomy. This is not true. There are advanced surgical techniques, as well as the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery, that minimize the need for a permanent stoma or bag and increase patients' chances for survival. Again, sadly for the Philippines, more than half of Filipino colorectal-cancer patients get a permanent bag and only receive radiotherapy after surgery."

Another misconception is that colorectal-cancer surgery is painful and mutilating. According to Dr. Roxas, surgery for colorectal cancer has become minimally invasive. Colorectal surgeons are now able to perform the standard radical operations for cancer with very small incisions in a laparoscopic surgery using TV monitors and special instruments. This results in less pain, faster recovery and early discharge for patients.

Filipinos are also afraid of chemotherapy because they think it is ineffective and only results to disfiguring side effects. Dr. Roxas debunks this myth by explaining that advances in chemotherapy have been scientifically proven to prolong colorectal-cancer survival. There may be side effects that are unavoidable, but they are generally self-limited and tolerable. In fact, going bald from chemotherapy is actually infrequent among colorectal-cancer patients.

Given the advance technologies that make colorectal-cancer treatment and more bearable, nothing beats the convenience and peace of mind that regular screening brings. Colorectal cancer may be a very common cancer but it is also one of the easiest to treat if detected at an early stage.

In the Philippines TMC is the only hospital that uses the immunochemical fecal occult blood test, which is proven to be more accurate than the old Guiac test used by other hospitals. TMC also has the complete facilities for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy, plus  a multidisciplinary team of experts on colorectal care.

Despite all the available technologies and treatment, Dr. Roxas stresses the need to get screened before anything else. "It is highly advisable for people who reach the age of 50 to get screened. It is now easier to test for colorectal cancer with the fecal occult blood test and it only costs about P500 a year. Polyps found during screening can be easily removed before they become cancer."

Given the kind of lifestyle people now have, colorectal-cancer statistics are expected to rise in the Philippines and all over the world. With or without symptoms, people should get screened for colorectal cancer at least once a year so that they can be assured that they will not become another statistic.

[boomerang]

Weet je geen vrolijker onderwerpen op Koninginnedag ? 

[Adriaan]

Er schijnen tenminste 6 varieteiten van die" immunochemical fecal occult blood test" (FOBT) te zijn en niet alle daarvan zijn beter dan de oude guaiac FOBT wat het opspeuren van kankergezwellen in de ingewanden betreft. TMC zou dus moeten aanduiden welke 'immunochemical" FOBT ze gebruiken om mensen te overtuigen de test daar te laten verrichten. Zie het volgende artikel in de 'Annals of Internal Medicine' http://www.annals.org/content/150/3/I-34.full.pdf

Maar het algemene punt van het artikel, laat na vijftigjarige leeftijd regerlmatig zo'n test verrichten, blijft gelden. Als de vriend waarvan ik elders sprak (zie onder "Gezondheid') dat regelmatig had gedaan had die kanker niet uit kunnen zaaien naar zijn lever.

[Baron]

 

Ik kan ook alleen maar aansporen zo een test te laten doen. Mijn zwager is met 56 jaar gestorven door darmkanker, te laat ontdekt en daardoor met uitzaaingen naar de lever. De man leefde een fantstisch leven en hun dochter was net 18 geworden. Drie maanden later was ie niet meerErg  triest

Een andere zwager is arts en die heeft ons, allen mannen tussen 50 en 55, een test "geschonken. Kost een paar euro en is totaal niet belastend.
Je smeert 3 dagen lang een beetje strontium (haha = poep) op een dingetje, en een reaktie zegt je of je verder ermee moet.
Zelf heb ik de test niet gebruikt, ik ga meteen naar mijn huisarts en doe dat via haar.

Succes ermee