The importance of an early detection

The British Hospital carried out information actions focused on colon cancer’s prevention. Taking advantage of the commemoration of the International Day against colon cancer, last march 31st, the British Hospital carried out a series of actions aimed to inform and sensitize members and users, about the importance of prevention and early detection of one of the most extended diseases in our society. The professional doctors that take part in our Gastroenterology Department, led by its director Dr. Daniel Taullard, carried out communication actions focused on colon cancer’s prevention, that in Uruguay it is the second cause of dead due to cancer for women and the third one for men. The objective of the initiative was to inform the population that, even though it is one of the most extended malignant tumor of our society, great part of these could be avoided and cure if it is diagnosed on time. Besides the personal contact with patients and members of the British Hospital, an informative video was recorded in which take part, besides the director Taullard, the specialists Jorge Pérez Gatto, Adriana Raggio, Santiago Carbajal, Alberto Sanguinetti, Andrés Taullard and Nicolás González. The professionals stated that “colon cancer is a real health problem in Uruguay, as more than 3 people per day pass away due to this pathology”. Uruguay is one of the countries with the highest prevalence and highest mortality of colorectal cancer worldwide. Among the preventive measures is the prevention of obesity, a balanced diet, rich in fiber that includes lots of fruits and vegetables, avoid sedentary lifestyle, no smoking and to be prudent in the ingest of alcohol, they said. An alteration of intestinal transit, an abdominal pain or bleeding in fecal matter, can be due to a number of digestive disorders, so it is important to consult a gastroenterologist doctor. Thus, starting at age of 50, it is advised to consult a specialist and establish a strategy for the prevention of colon cancer, they mentioned. In case of having a family history of colorectal cancer, it is advised to consult with your head doctor, as it is possible that prevention studies could be started earlier. Among the diagnosis tests to rule out the presence of colorectal cancer, there it is the fecal occult blood test, that if the result is positive it could lead to a colonoscopy study. The colonoscopy is, at the same time, a test that allows the visualization of the colonic mucous and the detection of injuries. In many cases when these injures are precocious, they can be endoscopically resected avoiding their development. The director of the British Hospital Gastroenterology Department stressed that colon cancer “can be prevented and that we have in our midst plans to achieve it”. Hence the importance of reaching a diagnosis on early stages when it is still curable.