Pelé died on Thursday, December 29. The King of Football was diagnosed with colon cancer in September last year and, since then, has been treated for the disease. This is one of the three most common tumors in Brazil. Learn about the disease, prevention, symptoms and treatment.
Read more: Pelé, the King of Football, dies at 82 from cancer
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The disease hits the large intestine and is responsible for approximately 935,000 deaths per year worldwide. The information is from the Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery (SBCO).
In Brazil, the disease is responsible for about 10% of cancer diagnoses, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA). Also according to the agency, there is an estimated diagnosis of 45,630 new annual cases between 2023 and 2025.
Among men, Pelé's disease is second only to prostate cancer in terms of diagnosis. In women, it is second only to breast cancer.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
The disease is silent. However, some symptoms should trigger the patient's alert for him to seek a doctor and investigate:
- Blood in the stool;
- Change in bowel habits (alternating diarrhea and constipation);
- Abdominal pain and discomfort.
It is good to reinforce that these symptoms, isolation, are not a cancer diagnosis. Therefore, you should consult a doctor to make the correct diagnosis.
Pele cancer treatment
With clinical, imaging and laboratory tests, the doctor will identify the tumor and what stage it is at. Colon cancer has a high chance of being cured, but for that, it is important that it is diagnosed as soon as possible.
Treatment may involve:
- Surgery;
- Radiotherapy;
- Chemotherapy;
- Embolization (injection of substances to decrease or obstruct blood flow to the tumor);
- Ablation.
Colon cancer prevention
The best way to prevent it is a colonoscopy. It is recommended for everyone aged 50 and over. If there is a family history of cancer, doctors recommend getting tested annually starting at age 40.
smoking, high alcohol consumption, diet with many ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyle and, mainly, family history are the main risk factors for the cancer that killed Pelé.
Therefore, doctors recommend a balanced diet, based mainly on foods of plant origin. Furthermore, it is essential to physical exercises, avoid alcoholic beverages and cigarette.
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.
