Preventing the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Vietnam

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers globally. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 statistics, colorectal cancer ranks third in incidence and second in mortality.

In Vietnam, colorectal cancer is on the rise and becoming younger, more and more people under 45 years old are suffering from this disease. So how to prevent colorectal cancer and reduce the risk of getting the disease?

Currently, there are several common colorectal cancer screening methods such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) that detects blood in the stool and is recommended to be performed annually.

Colorectal cancer develops from abnormal cells in the colon or rectum. The two main factors that influence the risk of colorectal cancer are genetics and lifestyle.

Genetic factors: About 5% of colorectal cancer cases are related to gene mutations, of which Lynch syndrome is one of the common genetic factors. If someone in the family has colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, the risk of the disease will be higher.

Lifestyle factors: A "Westernized" lifestyle, including a diet high in red meat, processed meat, and low in fiber, plus smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise, are major risk factors for colorectal cancer. In particular, the disease is showing a tendency to get younger, with many cases occurring in people under 45 years old.

According to Dr. Nguyen Binh Nguyen, Center for Hepatobiliary Gastroenterology, Bach Mai Hospital, risk factors can be divided into 2 groups:

Non-modifiable groups: These include age (over 45 years old), history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, and history of abdominal radiation therapy. In addition, some cases may also be due to genetic mutations such as Lynch syndrome.

Modifiable risk factors: These include being overweight, type 2 diabetes, a diet high in red meat and processed foods, and alcohol and tobacco use. Making healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk.

Although there is no way to 100% prevent colorectal cancer, you can reduce your risk of developing the disease through some proactive measures such as lifestyle changes: Lose weight if you are overweight, maintain a healthy body weight. Increase physical activity: Doing regular exercise helps reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.

Eat a healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in red and processed meats. Limit or stop drinking alcohol and quit smoking, as these are risk factors for colorectal cancer.

Regular screening: Regular colorectal cancer screening is one of the most effective ways to detect precancerous polyps early and prevent the development of cancer. When precancerous polyps are detected and removed promptly, the risk of cancer can be reduced by up to 90%.

Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps, and if they are found and removed before they become cancerous, survival rates are higher. Regular screening helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when it has not spread and is easier to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, everyone age 45 and older should be screened for colorectal cancer, even if they have no symptoms.

For people with high risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, or those with a history of inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, or who have had abdominal radiation therapy, screening should be performed earlier, from the age of 20-30.

Dr. Nguyen Binh Nguyen said that currently there are some common colorectal cancer screening methods such as fecal immunochemical test (FIT) which helps detect blood in the stool and is recommended to be performed annually.

Additionally, the fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) is also performed annually to detect blood in the stool. Another method is the FIT-DNA test, which combines FIT with a test to detect abnormal DNA in the stool, and is performed every 3 years.

CT colonography: This test can detect lesions in the colon, but cannot remove polyps or take biopsies.

Colonoscopy: This is the most effective method to detect lesions in the colon and remove polyps or cancer at an early stage. If the non-invasive tests are positive, the patient will be assigned to perform a colonoscopy to evaluate the lesions.

Colorectal cancer is preventable if we proactively change our lifestyle and perform regular screening.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling weight, eating a balanced diet, and limiting alcohol and tobacco will help reduce the risk of disease. In addition, colorectal cancer screening helps detect precancerous lesions early, thereby reducing the risk of cancer and increasing survival rates.

So, don't wait until you have symptoms to see a doctor. Be proactive in preventing colorectal cancer today to protect the health of yourself and your family.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/phong-tranh-can-benh-ung-thu-gay-tu-vong-lon-thu-hai-o-viet-nam-d257841.html