Colon Cancer Spreading
by Lim Wey Wen
27 Januari 2012
KUALA
LUMPUR: Cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) has
overtaken cervical cancer as the second most common cancer among
Malaysian women.
UKM Medical Centre (UKMMC) oncology department
head, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Fuad Ismail said the cancer, which is the most
common type among Malaysian men, had intensified with the women in the
past few years.
"In 2003, the most common
cancer in women was
breast cancer, followed by
cervical cancer and
colorectal cancer,"
said Dr Fuad after the launch of the European Society for Medical
Oncology (ESMO) Asia CME Partner Centre Colorectal Cancer Programme at
UKMMC yesterday.
Colorectal Cancer The Second
The pattern changed in 2007, when colorectal cancer was recorded as the second most common cancer among women.
"This
may be due to the increase of the number of women diagnosed with colon
cancer and the decrease of cervical cancer incidence among women," said
Dr Fuad, adding that more women were now educated on cervical cancer
prevention and its screening methods.
He noted that of the estimated 40,000 cancer cases diagnosed every year, about 4,000 of them were colorectal cancer.
"Men
and women are just as likely to get it," said Dr Fuad, who also agreed
that colorectal cancer used to be thought of being 'a men's disease'.
Dr
Luqman Mazlan, a surgeon at the UKMMC, who was also present at the
event, said surgeons at the medical centre operated on 3 to 4 colorectal
cancer patients a week.
Check for Cancer
"We
don't routinely screen the general population for colorectal cancer
unless a person has a very strong family history of it," said Dr Luqman.
However, he said those who experienced changes in their bowel habits, unexplained
weight loss and find
blood in their faeces should check for the cancer.
It
is not yet clear what causes colorectal cancer but medical website
Mayoclinic.com offers the following advice to reduce the risk of
developing the disease:
"
Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink alcohol in moderation, stop smoking, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight".
Source : TheStar