Colon cancer, also known as bowel cancer, is among the most common cancer types in Turkey. While one million people in the world and 6 thousand people in Turkey are diagnosed with colon cancer every year, the disease occurs with the uncontrolled growth of cells in the layer on the inner surface of the large intestine. Constipation, abdominal bloating or blood in the stool are among the symptoms of colon cancer. The biggest reason why stomach and intestinal problems have increased in recent years is helicobacteria. It is also stated that these bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.
STUBBORN BACTERIA
Microbiologist Dr. Lecturer Member İpek Ada Alver draws attention to genetic factors as well as stress, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption in stomach and intestinal cancers. “Helicobacteria are resistant even to the high acidic content of the stomach and cause first gastritis, then ulcers, and then stomach and intestinal cancers. This bacterium is a tenacious and opportunistic pathogen. “There are complaints such as burning in the stomach, pain, bloating, gas, indigestion, bitter water coming to the mouth, nausea, belching, bad breath, anemia, problems in defecation and bloody stools, which means that there are symptoms related to the infection caused by helicobacterium.” he said.
WHY SHOULD A COLONOSCOPY BE PERFORMED?
Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Aytaç Atamer is Colonoscopy should be performed on every healthy person over the age of 45. While stating that it is necessary, he said, “Colonoscopy is necessary in cases where persistent abdominal pain, chronic constipation, iron deficiency and chronic diarrhea problems do not go away. The method is also performed for cancer research and polyp control.”
Polyp risk is detected
Gastroenterology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Halil Genç, on the other hand, stated that intestinal polyps can be detected thanks to colonoscopy, and thus colon cancer can be prevented in the early stages, and said: “Colonoscopy is commonly performed to examine conditions such as abdominal pain and rectal bleeding of unknown cause. In addition, colonoscopy is often used in cases such as anemia, chronic diarrhea and constipation.”
WHO IS IN THE RISK GROUP?
Prof. Dr. Alihan Gürkan (General Surgeon)
“Those who do not have colon cancer at an early age in their family are less likely to develop this disease under the age of 50. Symptoms may vary depending on the location of the cancer. For example; If it is too close to the exit of the anus, a piece of meat such as cauliflower may come into the person’s hand, bleeding may occur, and diarrhea and occasionally constipation may occur. Abdominal defecation begins to be irregular, abdominal bloating increases, and this may be perceived by the patient as indigestion. There may be slimy structures during defecation, or in the later stages of the disease, there may be inability to pass gas, bloating, accompanied by increased abdominal pain, and even vomiting. “The presence of pieces of flesh called polyps in the inner part of the intestine in the colon increases the risk.”

IT IS CONFUSED WITH HEMORRHOIDS
Prof. Dr. Ediz Altınlı (General Surgeon)
“Symptoms of colon cancer are confused with hemorrhoids. Blood in the stool is observed in both hemorrhoids and colon cancer.hemorrhoids of colon cancer This assumption delays treatment. Patients who apply to specialists with hemorrhoid complaints can undergo surgery for treatment. However, if a comprehensive examination is not performed, a tumor 5-6 centimeters above the rectum may be missed. Therefore, it is important to determine the cause of bleeding by performing recroscopy during hemorrhoid treatment.”
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