COLON CANCER

I. What is colon cancer?

- Colon cancer (also known as large intestine cancer) ranks 5th among common cancers in Vietnam.

- Cancer occurs when colon mucosal cells become abnormal and proliferate out of control.

- Colon cancer can start from small polyps. These polyps grow slowly and do not cause any symptoms until they become large and cancerous.

- Polyps are often discovered incidentally during colonoscopy – and removed before they develop into cancer.

- There are cases of colon cancer discovered by chance during a routine colonoscopy screening, without any symptoms.

Colon Cancer Images

Colon polyp images

II. Warning signs of colon cancer

1. Change in bowel habits: constipation, loose stools, or loose stools alternating with constipation, incontinence, small-flat stools

2. Blood in stool

3. Anemia of unknown cause: fatigue, shortness of breath on exertion

4. Abdominal pain: dull pain throughout the abdomen, pelvic pain, bloating

5. Unusual weight loss

6. Vomiting…

III. Risk factors for colon cancer

1. Black people

2. Laziness

3. Drinking alcohol

4. Eat a lot of fat and little fiber

5. Smoking

6. Obesity, overweight

7. Chronic enteritis, diabetes

8. History of colon polyps

IV. What to do to prevent colon cancer

1. Change your eating and living habits. Some foods you should eat to prevent colon cancer and polyps.

- Yarourt

- Fruits such as apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, etc. contain many vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory properties...

- Vegetables and fruits: contain lots of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals

- Beans such as green beans, black beans, soybeans, peanuts, peas, white beans... contain a lot of fiber, antioxidants, and also prevent breast cancer and some other cancers.

- Whole grains such as: whole barley, wheat, corn, whole beans, brown rice...

- Fish: provide Omega-3 fatty acids, salmon and sardines are very good for the body.

- Nuts: almonds, cashews, walnuts, chestnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts: provide fiber, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory.

Remember: no single food can completely prevent cancer, but the diet must be balanced between foods: fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, protein...

Some foods should be limited :

- Cigarette

- Wine, beer, alcoholic beverages

- Red meat (beef, lamb, deer, goat, pork), processed foods (canned food, sausages, etc.)

- Low fiber foods

- Fatty foods

Exercise and play sports regularly

- You should spend an average of 30 minutes/day to exercise.

- Can: walk, jog, cycle, swim,... depending on health and age

Purpose: helps the intestines regulate intestinal motility, avoid constipation

2. Regular health check-ups

Colon cancer progresses slowly, silently and without symptoms. The most common and valuable method of early cancer screening is colonoscopy.

When we pass the age of 40 - 45, the rate of cancer increases with age, we should proactively have a colonoscopy every 4 - 5 years if the colonoscopy results are normal.

If there is someone in the family with colon cancer, the age of check-up will be younger and more frequent.

Because colon polyps can develop into cancer,

- If you have a history of colon polyps: have regular colonoscopy according to your doctor's appointment.

- In the family, if a relative (parent, sibling, etc.) has colon polyps, they should also have an endoscopy to screen for them because polyps have a family history.

YOUR HEALTH IS IN YOUR HANDS