Cancer cases increase in Cordillera

CANCER cases especially on colon and rectal increased for the past years in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and in other places, because of the aggressive lifestyle of people nowadays.

The Department of Health (DOH) in Cordillera said that colon and rectal cancer victims in the region are continuously increasing every year.

Romeo Concepcion, of Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, said 93 patients with this cancer were admitted at the hospital in 2012. He said most of them were male aging 50 and above.

He added men and women ages 50 years old and above are prone to the said illness, but said they had a patient as young as 16 years old who was then admitted at the hospital. He said in 2012, the youngest patient they had was 30 years old.

The surgeon said the victims of colon and rectal cancer are becoming younger, because of unhealthy environment and lifestyle today. He said family history on the illness is also the major cause of this cancer.

Concepcion said the early warning signals to detect if the person has this cancer are: change in bowel habits, such as recurrent diarrhea and constipation, particularly with abdominal discomfort; weight loss; unexplained anemia; and the presence of blood in stool. For early detection and treatment, he urges public to visit a physician when any of the symptoms persist; and undergo screening when warning signs are felt.

Apart from people with age 50 and above, those who are at risk for the illness are: people who smoke; obese or sedentary; people with personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps; people with personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as long standing ulcerative colitis; and people with history background of inherited colorectal cancer.

In order to avoid rectal and colon cancer, health authorities encourage public to be physically active and exercise regularly; maintain a healthy weight; limit red meat consumption and avoid processed meats; don’t smoke; don’t drink alcohol; and eat a healthy diet.