According to a survey obtained exclusively by “Bom Dia Brasil”, there has been an increase in the number of hospitalizations due to bowel cancer in the SUS. Data show that in 2022, there were 97,000 hospitalizations, representing the highest number in 16 years and 177% more than was recorded in 2008, the year that started this series.
bowel cancer
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Also known as colorectal cancer, it is a type that affects the colon or rectum. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and can occur at any age, although it is more common in people over 50. Symptoms can include changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Despite this, there are often no symptoms until the cancer has progressed, making regular screening extremely important.
According to the intestinal surgeon and coordinator of the March Azul campaign, to raise awareness about colon cancer, intestine, Marcelo Averbach, the ideal is to start prevention from the age of 45, with feces exams or colonoscopy. He also complements by saying that the development of the disease can be triggered by excessive consumption of meat (mainly well-done), embedded and ultra-processed foods.
“A sedentary lifestyle should be avoided, encouraging physical activity and, above all, avoiding excess alcohol and smoking,” said the specialist.
Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. Deaths from the disease in Brazil reached close to 21 thousand in 2021, the year of the last recorded survey. Since the beginning of this survey, in 1996, bowel cancer has never killed so many people.
history of overcoming
Businesswoman Andresa Haddad was diagnosed with this type of cancer.
“I've always done all the exams annually, as I go through it with my gynecologist. She said that, from the age of 45, I would start having a colonoscopy. It was just a preventive test, as I had no symptoms or family history, ”she said.
Colonoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a flexible tube with a camera at the end (known as a colonoscope) to examine the inside of the colon and rectum. It is one of the main tools used to diagnose bowel cancer and other bowel diseases such as polyps, colitis, Crohn's disease and diverticulitis.
Andressa was diagnosed and underwent surgery, without needing chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The recovery was done at home: “I am 100% cured, very happy and grateful”, she said when celebrating.
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