Very high chance of curing colon cancer through early diagnosis

Colon cancer, the second deadliest cancer in Malta, is highly treatable if caught in time and Saint James Hospital last year saved the lives of five people who turned up with no symptoms.

Joe Garzia, head of endoscopy at Saint James Hospital, Sliema, is hoping that awareness will encourage people to give colon cancer a thought and bring about a decline in the mortality rate.

In 2004 there were 193 new cases of colon cancer - 103 men and 90 women - and 83 deaths, according to the National Cancer Registry.

Throughout our lives the colon is the one part of our body that gets a constant battering from all the junk food and rubbish we consume, so Mr Garzia feels it's crucial to drum the message home each year that regular screening for those over 50 could save their lives.

March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Month and Saint James Hospital is offering free screening, counselling and advice on how to prevent this disease, what symptoms to look out for and options available to increase awareness.

Over 100 people turned up last year and after filling in a questionnaire it was established that 30 people required further investigation. These tests established that five of them had colon cancer and had to be referred for surgery.

"These five people presented themselves with absolutely no symptoms. They had heard of the screenings and simply showed up," Mr Garzia said.

As a result, the hospital's slogan for this year is One Lost Life Is Too Many... But We Saved Five.

"Colon cancer is one of the deadliest yet most preventable malignancies. When diagnosed and treated early it is curable in more than 90 per cent of the time," Mr Garzia said.

Since colon cancer may have no symptoms in the early stages, screening was vital. Experts estimate that routine screening could reduce the death toll by 50 to 75 per cent.

As the cancer grows, symptoms may include: a change in bowel habits; change in the way bowel movements look; diarrhoea or constipation; blood in bowel movements; frequent gas pains; an unexplained loss in weight; and symptoms of anaemia, such as fatigue and tiredness.

A healthy low-calorie and high-fibre diet, which includes fruits and vegetables and limits the amount of alcohol and red meat, is essential for a healthy colon.

People over 50, or those with a family history, are the most susceptible to this disease and regular screening in this age group was important.

Screening tests can prevent colon cancer by finding polyps - small, non-cancerous tumours in the colon and rectum - and removing them.

Whoever opts to take the test will first undergo a detailed assessment followed by a blood and stool test to determine the risk. Depending on the outcome an endoscopy can be suggested. This is a minimally invasive, pain-free procedure, which lasts just 10 to 15 minutes.

Samples can be taken for further analysis and the results are immediate, Mr Garzia said.

Though colon cancer occurs more frequently after the age of 50, Mr Garzia advised younger people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly from a young age.

It is suspected that westernised diets rich in red meat, proteins and animal fats, yet low in fibre could be contributing to an increase in colon cancer.

Lifestyle changes such as stress and a sedentary job coupled with an increase in alcohol consumption and tobacco can also contribute.

"What we need to change is the attitude of some that 'it's better if I don't know'," he said.

Saint James Hospital has launched an information campaign throughout this month. Apart from free counselling and advice, the hospital will also be offering free screening.

For more information call 2133 5235 or 2169 2055.