Colon cancer

What is cancer?

A cancer cell is an abnormal cell that transforms and proliferates indefinitely, without restraint.

This proliferation forms a cancerous tumour that destroys the organ in which it developed and can contaminate other organs. This process is called metastasis.

Some figures:

– 2nd leading cause of death in industrialised countries (men and women combined)
– 1st cause of death among non-smokers
– 3rd most common cancer worldwide
– 40 new cases/year per 100,000 inhabitants

High mortality due to late or non-existent screening!

50% of at-risk patients aged over 50 do not undergo screening!

There are 3 risk groups for colon cancer:

– Medium risk: no personal or family history.

⇒ 4% risk of colon cancer before the age of 75

– High risk: personal or family history of polyps, inflammatory colitis.

⇒ 10% risk of colon cancer before the age of 75

– Very high risk: familial polyposis.

⇒ 10% risk of colon cancer before the age of 75

Origin

Colon cancer often arises from the transformation of a benign adenomatous polyp. Detecting and removing these polyps is the best approach for preventing this cancer.

Examples of polyps:

Screening

Until recently:

• Check for blood in stools.

• Colonic with enema.

• Conventional colonoscopy (in the hospital)

Alternative :