With nearly 17,000 new cases each year, colorectal cancer surpasses stomach cancer, becoming the 4th most common type in Vietnam, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Globocan).
“Particularly in women, colorectal cancer ranks third, after breast and lung cancer,” said Dr. Phan Thi Hong Duc, Head of the Department of Breast, Digestive, Liver, and Urology, City Oncology Hospital. HCM, speaking at a conference on colorectal cancer, October 19.
In both sexes, Vietnam recorded 16,835 new cases and 8,454 deaths from colorectal cancer. In 2020, colorectal cancer ranked 5th, after liver, lung, breast and stomach cancer. To date, the 5 types of cancer with the highest number of new cases in Vietnam are breast, liver, lung, colorectal, and stomach, respectively.
In the world, colorectal cancer is ranked third with more than 1.9 million new cases. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, the total number of new cases of colorectal and anal cancer in both sexes and all age groups in the past two years is more than 2,600 cases.
According to Dr. Duc, colorectal cancer has not serious symptoms and is often ignored. By the time it is diagnosed, it is already in a late stage with a high mortality rate. Meanwhile, if the disease is detected early, treatment effectiveness is often high.
Statistics from the US National Cancer Institute show that cancer in the localized stage only develops in the colon or rectum, and the 5-year survival rate is 91%. Life time decreases sharply through each stage. When cancer is in the distant metastasis stage, spreading to distant lymph nodes or spreading to other organs such as the liver or lungs, the 5-year survival rate is only 15.7%.
Chemotherapy for cancer patients at Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital facility 2, Thu Duc City. Image: Quynh Tran
Some risk factors for colorectal cancer are a family history of the disease, people with colon polyps, chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, age, and a high-fat diet. , red meat, low fiber from vegetables, fruits… People with colon polyps who do not treat them promptly, leaving them for a long time will put these polyps at risk of developing into cancer.
Screening is important in early detection of colorectal cancer, because the disease develops silently, with almost no early symptoms. When the patient has signs such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or diarrhea mixed with constipation, bloody diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, unexplained anemia, or palpable abdominal lumps, the disease has occurred. at a late stage.
The group that needs to be screened for colorectal cancer is people over 50 years old, and people with a family history such as parents, siblings, or having the disease. Screening for early detection of colorectal cancer can be done with a fecal occult blood test in high-risk people, people aged 50 and over, performed once a year. In particular, full colonoscopy is the best screening method today, which should start at age 50 along with a test to find hidden blood in the stool. Cases where polyps were previously detected and removed by endoscopy also need regular screening as recommended by the doctor.
To prevent colorectal cancer, you need to increase physical activity and maintain a reasonable weight. Limit eating fat, animal meat, reduce fat. Increase your intake of fiber and fresh fruits every day. Limit salted, fermented foods, dried fish, soy sauce, and bacon. Avoid letting genetic mutagens contaminate food such as pesticides, herbicides, and weight gain drugs. Limit abuse of alcohol, beer and other fermented substances.