Photo: Victor Manuel Perez Bolufer
Prevention instead of cure: This is why colorectal cancer screening is so important
It is widespread – but also easily curable, provided it is detected in time: Colorectal cancer. “A malignant tumor in the colon does not develop spontaneously. In most cases, it develops from benign precursors, the so-called polyps (adenomas). Over various stages, even small polyps can develop into malignant intestinal tumors (colon cancer, colon carcinoma) after five to 15 years,” explains Dr. Mazen Nassif, a German specialist in gastroenterology at the Policlínica Glorieta in Dénia.
To prevent this from happening, the expert recommends regular colorectal cancer screening. Regularly means every eight to ten years for men over 50 and women over 55. Exception: If there are family predispositions, one should start with the screening check from the age of 35; in case of a hereditary variant already from the age of 25.
- Hereditary colorectal cancer is caused by a detectable change (mutation) in a single hereditary trait (gene).
- Familial colorectal cancer is when the disease occurs more frequently in a family but cannot be traced back to a single gene. Many genes are involved here in combination with environmental factors.
Precautionary measures significantly reduce risk
A recent study from Massachusetts shows just how successful colorectal cancer screening is: “Regular screening reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer by up to 70 percent,” says Dr. Nassif of the results. Numerous other studies have even shown a risk reduction of up to 90 percent if the polyps from which tumors develop are removed.
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A recent study from Massachusetts shows just how successful colorectal cancer screening is: “Regular screening reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancer by up to 70 percent,” says Dr. Nassif of the results. Numerous other studies have even shown a risk reduction of up to 90 percent if the polyps from which tumors develop are removed.
“I was surprised and – to be honest – particularly pleased by this positive development myself.” The physician also knows from his own practical experience that early detection is of elementary importance, especially in the case of colorectal cancer. “If you don’t come in until you have complaints, it’s usually very late, unfortunately.”
State-of-the-art system with a pleasant feeling in the stomach
With the SonoScape HD-550, Policlínica Glorieta has one of the most modern endoscopy systems. “One of the very big pluses of this is the use of CO₂ instead of room air to unfold the gut” explains Dr. Nassif. Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the intestine about 150 times faster than room air and is completely exhaled through the lungs. “This makes bloating and abdominal pain after a colonoscopy, which occur when room air is used, a thing of the past.”
How does it work, the colonoscopy?
“In any case, painless and uncomplicated,” the specialist knows. “The only caveat is that you should avoid hard-to-digest foods for two days beforehand.” The evening before the examination, one would then have to take a laxative. “But there are no more restrictions than that.”
Sedation is given before colonoscopy. “Unlike anesthesia/anaesthesia, this only puts you into a twilight sleep,” Dr. Nassif emphasizes. “Patients don’t get to hear about the actual exam and are always very surprised that it’s all over, even though they just thought we were getting started.” If the specialist discovers polyps during colorectal cancer screening, he removes them immediately. With good preparation, the examination is over after 20 to 30 minutes.
It is important that the patient has an escort or comes by cab, because you should not get behind the wheel of a vehicle yourself afterwards.
