Bowel cancer is a malignant disease that develops mainly in the left side of the large intestine, known as the colon and rectum. It usually arises from polyps, benign wart-like lesions that form on the walls of the intestine. This characteristic makes identifying the disease quite challenging.
Oncologist Marcela Crosara, from Hospital DF Star, points out that bowel cancer has become increasingly common in Brazil. It is the second most common neoplasm in both men and women, and its main risk factors are excessive consumption of red meat, alcoholism and smoking. Unfortunately, these are habits that are very present in the lives of Brazilians.
Without proper treatment, bowel cancer can completely obstruct the organ and, within a matter of months, lead to the patient’s death. For this reason, Dr. Marcela always emphasizes the importance of colonoscopy exams, which can prevent and detect the tumor early, significantly increasing the chances of a cure.
Given the risks involved, it is essential to know the most common and uncommon signs of this disease, such as: changes in bowel habits, such as recent diarrhea or constipation; presence of blood in the stool; persistent abdominal cramps; pain during bowel movements and a feeling of incomplete evacuation; loss of appetite; anemia; unexplained weight loss; fatigue; changes in the appearance of stools, such as thinner stools; vomiting, if the cancer is blocking the intestine; presence of bubbles in the urine, if the cancer has spread to the bladder (although this is a rare sign); and nodules on the skin, if the cancer has reached the bloodstream (considered an uncommon sign by the specialist).
Treatment for bowel cancer will depend on the stage at which the disease is diagnosed, which will determine the aggressiveness of the tumor and the therapeutic options. In the early stages, the patient usually undergoes surgery to remove the affected part of the intestine, and may also require radiotherapy and chemotherapy, depending on the case.
“Evolution in treatment offers patients greater chances of a cure, but we need to break the taboo surrounding colonoscopy. Although it is an invasive exam, it can be the first step in saving the life of someone with cancer. Those who haven’t had it yet, please do so,” pleads Dr. Marcela.
It is essential that awareness about the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of bowel cancer be disseminated among the population. Adopting healthy habits, such as a balanced diet, reducing red meat consumption, regular exercise and quitting smoking are great allies in helping to avoid this disease.