Preventing Colon Cancer Without 'Gender Discrimination'! ... Daedong Hospital Shares Colon Cancer Prevention Methods on Cancer Prevention Day

Director Park Kyunghwan of Daedong Hospital Laparoscopic Surgery Center is performing surgery.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Dooyul] The 21st is designated by the World Health Organization as "Cancer Prevention Day" to reduce the increasing incidence of cancer each year and to provide information on cancer prevention and early diagnosis.

According to statistics from the National Cancer Information Center, the total number of cancer cases in 2019 was 254,717, with thyroid cancer being the most common, followed by lung cancer, stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and liver cancer.

Looking at the major cancer incidence by gender, in men, lung cancer accounted for 15.2%, stomach cancer 14.7%, and colorectal cancer 12.8%. In women, breast cancer was 20.6%, thyroid cancer 19.2%, and colorectal cancer 9.9%. Colorectal cancer is included among the top cancers for both men and women.

Food is consumed to produce energy, passing through the digestive organs including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, and is excreted as feces.

The large intestine is the final part of the digestive system in our body, shaped like a long tube about 150 cm from the end of the small intestine to the anus, and is broadly divided into the colon and rectum.

Depending on the location of the cancer, it is called rectal cancer or colon cancer, and collectively referred to as colorectal cancer.

The large intestine consists of four layers from the inside: mucosal layer, submucosal layer, muscular layer, and serosal layer. Most colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas arising from glandular cells of the mucosa, but there are also sarcomas, lymphomas, malignant carcinoids, and squamous cell carcinomas.

Risk factors for colorectal cancer can be divided into genetic factors such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and environmental factors including excessive intake of animal fats, deficiency of fiber, calcium, and vitamin D, lack of exercise, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal polyps.

The problem is that most cases show no symptoms in the early stages, and when symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, a feeling of incomplete evacuation after defecation, blood in stool, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite, and fatigue appear, the disease is often already quite advanced upon examination.

Colorectal cancer is confirmed by detecting cancer cells through colonoscopic biopsy, and diagnosis can be aided by digital rectal examination, stool tests, CT scans, and blood tests.

Treatment methods for colorectal cancer are determined by tissue invasion rather than tumor size. Early detection allows for some endoscopic treatments, but most cases require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Dr. Park Kyunghwan, Director of the Laparoscopic Surgery Center at Daedong Hospital, said, "In Korea, people aged 50 and over can undergo annual fecal occult blood tests under the national cancer screening program. If the result is positive, they can receive support for colonoscopy, so it is important not to forget to get screened."

Dr. Park advised, "If you experience changes in bowel habits, pain, blood in stool, or anemia, it is best to visit a nearby medical institution for diagnosis."

To maintain health, it is important to consume a variety of nutrients in balance, limit calorie intake, and maintain an appropriate weight through exercise and physical activity suited to one's fitness level.

A high-fat diet increases bile acid secretion, which can irritate the colon mucosa and be converted into carcinogens by intestinal bacteria, so caution is needed.

Avoid processed meats such as ham and sausages, and foods high in trans fats like ramen and pizza. Instead of red meats such as beef, pork, and lamb, consume mainly white meats like chicken breast and fish.

Consuming dietary fiber dilutes the contents of the colon and increases stool volume, reducing the time it takes to pass through the intestines, so it is good to consume dietary fiber through vegetables and fruits.

Most colorectal cancers start from polyps, which can be considered the seeds of colorectal cancer, so removing polyps early through colonoscopy is the most reliable preventive measure.

Regular colonoscopy screenings are recommended, especially for those aged 50 and over or those at high risk for colorectal cancer, and they should consult with healthcare professionals to undergo regular cancer screenings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.