Early detection is the best bet to prevent colorectal cancer
MANILA, Philippines - It has claimed the lives of famous and powerful people — from Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn and American actress Elizabeth Montgomery, to former President Cory Aquino, local beauty queen Rio Diaz and actor Charlie Davao. The fact that these celebrities succumbed to this deadly disease is proof that colon cancer does not discriminate between rich and poor, young and old or male and female.
The number of colon cancer patients continues to rise. In 2008, it has reached 608,000 and experts say this number will continue to grow in the coming years. To date, colon cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths globally.
However daunting the scenario may be, there are ways to prevent colon cancer. Awareness, prevention, early detection, and screening are the main weapons against this menacing disease. Fortunately, cost-effective care for colorectal problems is easily accessible at Colorectal Specialists, Inc., (CSI) located at the MediCard Lifestyle Center.
CSI is the only specialty clinic in the country where colorectal surgeons are grouped together to offer outpatient clinic services. It is at the forefront of colorectal care in the Philippines, utilizing a multi-disciplinary team approach of management. This means that it’s not only the surgeon who decides or recommends what a patient needs. The medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and other specialties like palliative care are involved.
“We deal with all kinds of colorectal pathology, from benign to malignant cysts, even anorectal, which means from the anus to the anal canals including haemorrhoids, fistula, fissures, incontinence, constipation and, of course, colon diseases like infections, inflammations and cancers,” says Dr. Carlo Angelo Cajucom, one of four colorectal surgeons in CSI.
Dr. Cajucom adds that people who belong to the general risk population, meaning those who are not predisposed to having colorectal cancer, must have themselves screened at age 50, every three to five years. Those at high risk must undergo screening at least upon reaching 40 or 10 years before.
Dr. Cajucom notes that people should watch out for the following risk factors for colorectal cancer: strong family history or genetics, aging, low fiber intake and those who like to eat grilled or red meat. He adds that the symptoms to watch out for include abdominal pain, fecal blood, and difficulty in defecation.
To know more about colorectal diseases and how you can prevent or cure them, visit Colorectal Specialists, Inc. at the MediCard Lifestyle Center, 51 Paseo de Roxas corner Buendia Avenue, Makati City from Mondays through Fridays, 1-7 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
