Colon Cancer Disease

Colon Cancer - Abdominal pain. That complaint is often perceived Prasetyo, 45, for three years before being convicted of colorectal cancer (colon).

Initially, he was declared a doctor suffering from inflammation of the intestine, so it was only given anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, and antibiotics. However, the drugs were never able to completely eliminate the complaints. As a result, it is recurrent abdominal pain, and always recurring. Until one day, he felt a great pain in his stomach.

Prasetyo went back to the doctor. This time, doctors say, there are adhesions in the colon, so it should be removed surgically. Most of his colon was cut. Done a problem? Apparently not. Prasetyo that heavy smokers are still often feel pain in the abdomen. Her body was more emaciated, and often had diarrhea. Causes of abdominal pain that became known through the inspection at a major hospital in Bandung. Cancer has been confirmed nesting in the large intestine Prasetyo, and has reached stage IV. Four months after the sentencing hearing, Prasetyo passed away forever.

Colon cancer is one type of cancer is quite common, especially in men and women aged 50 years or more. In men, colorectal cancer ranks third as the most common cancer found after prostate cancer and lung cancer. While in women, this cancer was ranked third after breast and lung. "From various reports, in Indonesia there is a rise in the number of cases (colon cancer), although no definitive data. Data at the Department of Health found 1.8 points per 100 thousand inhabitants, "said the doctor Adil S Pasaribu, SpB KBD, the surgeon of Dharmais Cancer Hospital, Jakarta.

Colon cancer is a malignant growth of cancer cells in the surface of the colon or rectum. Most colon cancer starts from a malignant cell growth or adenoma, which is in beginning stages of forming polyps (cells that grow very fast).

In the early stages, adenomas can be removed easily. It's just that at this early stage, often adenomas did not show any symptoms, so it was not detected in a relatively long time. In fact, adenoma that initially did not cause any complaints, at one time could develop into a cancer that eats away at all parts of the colon.

The initial symptoms are not typical of this makes a lot of colon cancer patients come to the hospital when the course of the disease was so advanced. And treatment becomes difficult. In fact, as stated by Chairman of the Association of Specialists in Indonesia diseases, doctors Aru Sudoyo SpPD KHOM, key to the success of cancer treatment colon cancer is found in early stages, so that therapy can be carried out curative surgery. Unfortunately, things like this are very rare. That often is the case as experienced Prasetyo, the cancer is found at an advanced stage, so that sufferers hope for survival is very small.

If colon cancer is found in stage I, the patient and opportunity to live up to five years to reach 85-95 percent. Meanwhile, when found in stage II, the opportunity was reached 60-80 per cent, at about 30-60 percent of stage III and stage IV of about 25 percent. "This means, if there are 100 patients with stage IV colon cancer, it is still alive five years only five people," said Aru.

Early detection
To avoid the worst, as experienced Prasetyo, early detection is very important. "Early detection or screening for this cancer, it can save lives," said Adil.

With early detection of precancerous polyps can be found, which is an abnormal growth the colon or rectum that can be removed before they turn into cancer. "If all people aged 50 years or older be screened regularly, as much as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer can be avoided," he said.

Early detection is the investigation of the individual asymptomatic (without symptoms), which aims to detect disease at an early stage so that curative therapies can be done. In general, Adil explained, early detection can be performed on two groups, namely the general population and high risk groups. Early detection in the general population carried out to individuals over the age of 40 years. While those classified as high-risk groups include those who have had a polipektomi for adenomas in the colon, and the people who come from families with a history of this disease.

Associated with family history, you do not have to worry too much if it comes from a family with a history of colon cancer. According to Adil, genetic factors can indeed be the cause of this disease, but these factors can be narrowed. The trick, change your diet and do early detection.

Causes and symptoms
So far, the causes of colon cancer are not known with certainty. However, there are some things that allegedly led to a potentially malignant disease, namely: the wrong diet (too many foods high in fat and protein, and low in fiber), obesity (overweight), had colon cancer, comes from a family who have a history of colon cancer, have had polyps in the colon, age (risk increases over the age of 50 years), less physical activity, frequent exposure to food preservatives and dyes that are not for food, and smoking.

In the book of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Management Guide states that although initial studies showed no relationship of smoking to the incidence of colon cancer, but recent research shows, long-term smokers (30-40 years) has ranged from 1.5 to 3 times the risk. An estimated one out of five cases of colon cancer in the United States can be attributed to smoking. Cohort and case-control design with a good showing, smoking is associated with increased risk of adenoma formation and also increases the risk of adenoma changes into colon cancer. "Therefore, to prevent the incidence of colon cancer incidence is recommended not to smoke," said Aru. About the symptoms of colon cancer, Aru mention a few things that are often complained of the patient, namely:

Bleeding in the colon that is characterized by the discovery of blood in the stool during bowel movements.
* Changes in bowel function (diarrhea or constipation) for no apparent reason, more than six weeks.
* Weight loss for no apparent reason
* Pain in the abdomen or the back.
* The stomach still feels full even after a bowel big movement.  Constantly tired
* Sometimes the cancer can be a barrier in the large intestine that looks at some of the symptoms such as constipation, pain, and bloating in the abdomen.

To deal with colon cancer, according to Aru, surgical therapy is the most effective way, especially if done on the disease is still localized. However, when it occurs metastasis (spread), the treatment becomes more difficult. But, with the development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the moment, it allows people to an advanced stage or in the case of recurrence for adjuvant therapy. Adjuvant therapy is chemotherapy given after surgery in patients with stage III cancers to kill cancer cells remains.

At present, adjuvant therapy can be done without needles (IV), but with oral / tablet (capecitabine). Availability capecitabine tablet allows patients to undergo chemotherapy at home, of course, its effectiveness is better. "Oral capecitabine chemotherapy is also a safe and working up to the cancer cells," said Aru, who also serves as chairman of the adjuvant therapy, Indonesia Working Group on Colorectal Adenocarcinoma.

Kick Preventing Colon Cancer

Prevent much better than cure. It also applies to colon cancer. In order not to touchable this deadly disease, do prevention efforts. Listen prevention tips from doctors Adil S Pasaribu SpB KBD following:

* Avoid foods high in fat, protein, calories and red meat. Do not forget about calcium intake and adenoma acid polipektomi folat.Setelah undergo calcium supplementation is recommended.
* It is recommended supplementation of vitamin E, and D.
* Eat fruits and vegetables every day.
* Maintain a body mass index between 18.5 to 25.0 kg/m2 throughout life.
* Make physical activity, such as brisk walking at least 30 minutes a day.
* Avoid the habit of doing a colonoscopy and smoking polipektomi. In patients who found the presence of polyps.
* Perform early detection of occult blood tests since the age of 40 years.