70-90% of colorectal cancer environmental factors require endoscopy over 40 years of age
Nov 05, 2024
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According to the World Health Organization, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of death from cancer. In the data 'National Cancer Information Center's incidence status by cancer type', colorectal cancer was also reported as the second most diagnosed cancer in Korea in 2021. It occurs most frequently at the age of 35 to 64, and tends to increase with older age.
Early colon cancer is mostly asymptomatic. When the size of the tumor increases, symptoms such as bloody excrement, abdominal pain, digestive disorders, constipation, abdominal distention, frequent stool, thinning of the stool, anemia due to continued bleeding, and weight loss begin to appear. If colon cancer progresses, it can lead to continuous bleeding, abdominal distention and vomiting due to intestinal obstruction, peritonitis due to intestinal rupture, urination disorders, and cardiovascular effects. Colorectal cancer was summarized with the help of Professor Leasero of Colon and Anthropology Surgery at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital.
◇Environmental factors for colorectal cancer are 70-90%…compound effects such as diet
The cause of colorectal cancer is not yet clear, but it is estimated that about 70 to 90% are caused by environmental factors and 10 to 30% by genetic factors. Several environmental factors work in combination. Excessive consumption of red meat or processed meat, consumption of carbs of grilled meat, and low carbohydrate consumption are known to cause colon cancer. In addition, excessive drinking, smoking, lack of sleep, and extreme stress are cited as causes, and there are also reports of excessive energy drink consumption causing colon cancer.
Genetic factors are divided into 'familial adenomatous polyposis' and 'familial non-endomatous colorectal cancer'. Family adenomatous polyposis is a genetic disease in which numerous polyps occur in the mucous membrane of the large intestine, and it is caused by mutations in the tumor suppressor gene 'APC (Adenomatous Polyposis Coli)' resulting in impaired tumor suppressor function. Genetic nonspecific colorectal cancer is an autosomal dominant syndrome that occurs as a genetic mutation or deletion associated with DNA mismatch repair, and usually occurs without polyps.
There are various diagnostic methods and tests for colorectal cancer, but the most important is colonoscopy. In addition, there are fecal occult blood tests and rectal resin tests. Imaging tests such as CT and MRI are used to determine the location of the tumor, metastasis, and progression, and PET-CT and bone scanning are used to check for metastasis.
◇ Colorectal cancer treatment, surgery in principle...Recent development of surgical methods such as laparoscopy and robots
If it is small stage 0 colon cancer or very early colon cancer with a depth of invasion on the inner wall of the colon less than 1 mm, it can be resected through colonoscopy, but the principle of colon cancer treatment since then is surgery. The complete treatment is to remove cancer and tissue, including the lymph nodes around the cancer. With the recent development of various surgical methods such as laparoscopy and robots, patients are recovering quickly, and surgeries that were not possible in the past are often possible.
After surgery, chemotherapy may be performed for the purpose of preventing recurrence or preoperative progression. Radiotherapy can be performed for the purpose of reducing tumor size before rectal cancer surgery, treating peripheral metastases, and preventing recurrence after surgery. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are mainly used for metastatic colorectal cancer to inhibit cancer growth and transmission to specific genes, proteins, and tissue environments in cancer cells.
◇ Colonoscopy required over the age of 40...Avoid eating red meat and processed meat
The 5-year survival rate of colorectal cancer in Korea ranges from 95-100% in the early to first stage, 90-95% in the second stage, and 75% in the third stage. Although the cure rate is higher than that of other cancers, detection is often delayed because there are no symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, early detection through fecal occult blood tests and colonoscopy in health checkups is the key to preventing colon cancer.
Professor Le In-ro said "The sooner colon cancer is diagnosed and treated, the higher the cure rate for colon cancer, so if you are over 40 years old, it is recommended to perform colonoscopy regularly even if you do not have any special symptoms."
Another way to prevent colorectal cancer is to improve daily living habits. It is recommended to refrain from eating red meat and processed meat, and to add vegetables when eating meat. Don't let the meat burn black when roasting, and if there is a burnt part, it is desirable to remove it and eat it. Stress and excessive fasting can stimulate the secretion of digestive fluids and damage the barrier, so it is important to eat regularly and find your own way to relieve stress. Steady light aerobic exercise helps relieve stress, and sufficient sleep strengthens the immune system to help prevent colon cancer.
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