2023-09-09 21:43:54
[이데일리 이순용 기자] September is ‘Colon Cancer Month’ designated by the Korean Society of Colon and Proctology to raise awareness of the dangers of colon cancer. Colon cancer is a malignant tumor that occurs in the colon and rectum, and according to the 2021 national cancer registration statistics, it has the third highest incidence rate in Korea following thyroid cancer and lung cancer.
Recently, colon cancer has been found to occur frequently even in young people. According to a study published last year in the international medical journal ‘Lancet’ by a research team at the University of Colorado Medical Center, Korea had the highest incidence of colon cancer aged 20 to 49, or so-called ‘young colon cancer’. With 12.9 people per 100,000 people, it ranked first among the 42 countries surveyed. According to the 2021 colorectal cancer treatment status data released by the National Health Insurance Corporation, out of the total number of patients of 148,410, young people under the age of 50 accounted for 14,262 people, or regarding 10%.
“The prevalence of colon diseases such as colon polyps and inflammatory bowel disease, which can lead to colon cancer, is increasing in young people,” said Bu-won, director of the Department of Gastroenterology at Incheon Himchan General Hospital. “Changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, bloody stool, and weight loss are increasing.” “If you have any of these symptoms, you need to get a checkup regardless of your age,” he explained.
◇ When symptoms appear, early screening such as endoscopy is important.
Genetic predisposition cannot be ignored for colon disease, but environmental factors account for more than 80% of the causes of the disease. Typical environmental factors include bad eating habits and lifestyle habits, such as consuming large amounts of high-fat and high-calorie foods, drinking and smoking, and lack of exercise. If you enjoy instant food, have irregular eating habits, and are exposed to excessive stress, you should be careful because your risk of developing colon cancer increases even at a young age.
Colon cancer is difficult to detect early because it does not show early symptoms. If unexplained abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, or constipation persists, and you feel a feeling of residual stool following defecation, it is a sign that your colon health is poor. If you have a family history of colon cancer, have dark red bloody stools, stools with a lot of mucus, or have changed bowel habits, it is a good idea to get a detailed examination.
Currently, anyone over the age of 50 can undergo a fecal occult blood test for free once a year, and if an abnormality is found, a colonoscopy can also be performed free of charge. However, regardless of age, it is best for young people to get tested as soon as symptoms appear. In fact, even in the United States, a medically advanced country, there is a trend to lower the recommended age for screening to 45 and encourage early screening in younger people.
In particular, to prevent colon cancer, it is most important to remove colon polyps, which are one of the main causes of the disease. According to data released by the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, simply removing polyps can reduce the incidence of colon cancer by more than 70-90% and the mortality rate by more than 50%. It usually takes 10 to 15 years for a polyp to form and grow into cancer, and as the number of colon cancers in young people is increasing, regular early screening is important for those in their 40s or older to begin colonoscopy.
◇ Weight management through improved eating habits and exercise is essential
If a polyp that can be removed with an endoscope is found during a colonoscopy, the polyp can be removed and treated immediately. However, if the number of polyps is three or more or the size is greater than 1 cm, it is recommended to undergo a colonoscopy once more following three years even if the polyp is removed.
To prevent colon cancer, healthy eating habits are more important than anything else. It is known that the risk of developing colon cancer increases when the total calories consumed are high, regardless of the type of food. Additionally, red meat such as beef, pork, and lamb increases the possibility of developing colon cancer. Therefore, it is best to refrain from overeating and eat fish and chicken instead of processed meat or red meat. Eating a lot of fiber or calcium also helps prevent colon cancer. In particular, alcohol increases the risk of colon cancer by producing a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, and smoking also increases the incidence of colon polyps and colon cancer, so it is best to reduce or quit. Also, if you are obese or lack of exercise, the chance of developing polyps increases, so it is necessary to exercise consistently for more than 30 minutes at a time, 3 days a week, and manage your weight.
Manager Bu Ji-won said, “If polyps or colon cancer are detected and treated early during a colonoscopy, a complete cure can be expected. However, treatment depends on the time of detection, so do not be complacent just because you are young and get tested at the appropriate time. “Receiving it is the best way to prevent colon cancer,” he said.
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