This week, the CNN Vital Signs warning about the risks of bowel cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), there were more than 40,000 new cases in Brazil in 2020. The disease, also called colorectal cancer, can have several causes, such as poor diet and genetic factors.
The rerun of the program, presented by cardiologist Roberto Kalil, will air this Wednesday (23), at 10:30 pm, right after the CNN newspaperin the prime range of CNN Brazil.
According to physician Raul Cutait, digestive system surgeon at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, in São Paulo, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women in Brazil, after breast cancer. In addition, it is also the second most common in men, after prostate cancer. (see interview in the video above).
Cutait warns of the increase in cases in recent years in Brazil and in the world and says that the problem is related to food. According to experts, a diet low in vegetables and rich in red meat and alcohol can trigger this type of cancer.
There are also patients who have Lynch Syndrome, resulting from a genetic alteration that increases the risk of developing tumors in the colon and rectum.
The program features an interview with the doctor Angelita Habr-Gama, coloproctologist and digestive system surgeon at the Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, in São Paulo. The specialist created the “Watch & Wait” protocol, which means “watch and wait”, used for tumors that can disappear (clinically and radiologically) with treatment and without the need for surgery.
“Today, with new chemotherapy drugs and much more developed radiotherapy, we can reach up to 60% of patients who avoid surgery. And avoiding colostomy surgery is a glory”, says Angelita. According to the doctor, who is a reference in the area, cases of bowel cancer have a good prognosis when diagnosed early.
the team of CNN followed colorectal cancer surgeries at Hospital Sírio-Libanês with doctor Raul Cutait, and at Hospital AC Camargo with doctor Samuel Aguiar. The episode also shows how the laparoscopy procedure takes place with the help of ultramodern robots.
genetic factors
The geneticist and doctor in oncology, Maria Isabel Achatz, explains the genetic cases of cancer and how the tests available to detect the disease work. “Today we know that 10% of all colorectal cancer cases can be hereditary. The big breakthrough is doing an additional test called immunohistochemistry, which finds a clue to heredity.”
According to the specialist, mapping family members is an important screening strategy. “What is known today is that in families where heredity is found, the reduction in mortality is effective”, he concludes.
Source: CNN Brasil
