Knowledge of medicine and Pharmacy Chulalongkorn University: cancer screening help cure cancer

    Colon and rectal cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a common cancer both nationally and globally. According to statistics in 2020, about 20,000 Thai people are sick with this cancer, ranked as the 4th-5th cancer in Thai people. In the same year, there was a loss of About 10,000 people die from this cancer. From the data, it can be seen that colon and rectum cancer is a major public health problem at the national level. that we have to educate the public in order to take care of yourself properly To reduce the morbidity and death from this cancer.

    Risk factors for colorectal cancer can be divided into two main categories: modifiable risk factors; and unmodified risk factors

    Let's first consider the non-modifiable risk factors in order to know how much risk you are currently at. and at what level must be monitored for their own symptoms These risk factors include:

    (1) Old age, which is inevitable increasing age It increases the risk of colon and rectum cancer. Especially the age that increases more than 50 years

    (2) Polyps were detected in the colon and rectum. or have a history of colon and rectal cancer

    (3) chronic inflammatory bowel disease

    (4) Presence of certain hereditary diseases such as Lynch Syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC), familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), etc.

    (6) having a family history of colon cancer

    (7) have diabetes

    Modifiable risk factors for colorectal cancer which people should be aware of in order to change their behaviors To reduce the chance of getting sick, especially in people who are already irreparably at risk, including:

    (1) being overweight or obese

    (2) not exercising or like to be in a motionless state

    (3) Excessive consumption of certain foods such as red meat, animal fat, and processed meats such as sausages, bacon, etc.

    (4) Smoking

    (5) drink alcohol

    Items 4 and 5 are known risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality from other cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer, and other chronic diseases.

    The key to successful cancer treatment Extending the patient's life as long as possible The earliest disease detection At least before the disease is in its advanced stage. Because when cancer spreads beyond the beginning of the disease, treatment becomes much more difficult.

    Therefore, public health professional associations are trying to issue recommendations to ensure timely screening. before cancer shows symptoms

    Association of Gastroenterologists of Thailand Recommendations for colon and rectal cancer screening are as follows: Everyone aged 50 years and over Classified as a medium risk group. should go for colon cancer screening However, the incidence of colorectal cancer has been found to be higher in younger people in recent years, so some guidelines recommend screening as early as age 45.

    who are at higher risk than the general population should be screened earlier according to the risks, including patients with genetic diseases at risk of developing colon cancer Persons with first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, blood relatives) with colon cancer or colon polyps detected at high risk of developing cancer Patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease or (Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients with a history of colon polyps. or have had colon cancer before

    There are 3 main screening methods for colon and rectal cancer:

    (1) Check for latent bleeding in the stool every 1-2 years.

    (2) colonoscopy examination which is approximately done every 10 years if the results do not detect abnormalities (3) Computed tomography of the colon

    The public sector through the NHSO sees the importance of this screening as well. It's not just colon and rectal cancer. People with gold patents can enjoy 3 cancer screening benefits: cervical cancer, colon cancer. and oral cancer conveniently by using the service at service units or medical facilities in the National Health Security system, such as the National Health Security Hospital, health centers, urban health centers, hospitals that are regular service units according to their rights or the hospital where you go to use the service on a regular basis

    That's all, you will be able to know the way to keep your life away from colon and rectal cancer. And also reduce the chances of finding cancer in a stage that is difficult to treat as well

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattada Areepiam and Asst. Prof. Dr. Bodin Tiwasuwan

Faculty of Pharmacy Chulalongkorn University