Early detection can cure colorectal cancer

Over 500 people succumbed to colorectal cancer between 1998 and 2003 and almost 900 were diagnosed with the disease.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among females, after breast cancer, and third among men, following lung and prostate cancer.

St James Hospital's managing director, Josie Muscat, said almost half a million people all over the world are expected to die of the disease over the next 12 months.

Speaking during the launch of an awareness campaign, jointly organised by the private hospital and the Health Promotion Department, Dr Muscat said a study by the London-based Cancer Research Campaign showed that 98,500 men and women die every year from the disease in the European Union.

Treatment is highly effective when the cancer is detected early, the Health Promotion Department's principal health promotion officer Marianne Massa said.

Colorectal cancer is curable 90 per cent of the time, Joe Garcia Stafrace, who heads St James Hospital's Endoscopy Unit, said. He explained that the cancer remains encapsulated in a polyp for about 10 years before spreading elsewhere in the body, and if it is removed in the early stages, the chances of survival are very high.

Although in its early stages colon cancer may not have any symptoms, as it grows these can include changes in bowel habits or in the way bowel movements look, diarrhoea or constipation, blood in bowel movements, frequent gas pains, unexplained weight loss, and symptoms of anaemia, like fatigue or tiredness. Mr Garcia Stafrace pointed out that although such symptoms might be caused by something less serious, it is imperative for people to be seen by a doctor.

He insisted that people over the age of 50 should get screened, with the first phase of this process being a very detailed questionnaire, after which the health professional will decide whether further investigation is necessary.

The problem runs in families, and Mr Garcia Stafrace said children of colorectal cancer sufferers have a 50 per cent chance of also developing the disease.

Dr Muscat pointed out that because the colon, ovaries and breasts develop from a single cell, a person who has a family member diagnosed with cancer of one of the three organs can be at risk of colorectal cancer.

As part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, in March, St James Hospital is offering free counselling and advice on how to prevent and detect the disease. Dr Muscat highlighted the importance of awareness campaigns. He said 50 people took up the hospital's offer last year, 10 of whom require further investigation. The campaign could have saved the life of three people who were found to be suffering from colorectal cancer.

In a bid to make women more breast aware, the private hospital had reduced its prices for mammography screening during October and November. Dr Muscat yesterday announced that eight women were found to be suffering from the disease and were able to start treatment.

"The only way to beat cancer is early detection," he concluded.

How to prevent colorectal cancer

¤ Regular screening tests starting at the age of 50.
¤ Eat less red meat and more vegetables.
¤ Take a multivitamin with folate everyday.
¤ Be physically active for a minimum of 30 minutes daily.
¤ Maintain a healthy weight.
¤ Limit alcohol consumption.