Every year in Spain more than 13,000 people die from colon cancer. A tumor that affects 1 in 20 men and 1 in 30 women under 74 years of age and that in 90% of cases can be cured if detected early.
Spain, an exception in Europe
The figures for cancer deaths in Europe, despite being high, are positive since since 2012 cancer mortality in men has fallen by 10.3% and by 5% in the case of women. And among these data stands out significantly the reduction in mortality from colon cancer - the second most deadly after lung cancer - throughout Europe … with two exceptions, Poland and Spain.
A possible explanation for these data
In our country 8 million people cannot reduce their risk of death from this cancer which, as we see, has a good prognosis if it is diagnosed early, because an early detection program for it is not implemented in their autonomous community or because it is insufficient, according to data from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).
This program consists of an occult blood test in the feces that is done from the age of 50, taking into account that 90% of these tumors are diagnosed from this age.
Only 20% of Spaniards are protected
Since 2013, all communities are obliged to implement this program in the population at risk. But the reality is that not all of them have it. According to the AECC, to date only 4 autonomous communities (Basque Country, La Rioja, Navarra and Valencian Community) have 100% coverage in screening programs.
In 2014, there were 10 that did have a screening program: Murcia, Euskadi, Cantabria, Canarias, La Rioja, Comunidad Valenciana, Catalunya, Aragón, Navarra and Galicia. Two in which the program was in the pilot phase, which were Extremadura and the Balearic Islands; and two with a commitment to develop the piloting, Andalusia and Madrid. While Castilla La Mancha had no program.
But even in the communities where the coverage was established they were very different. For example, in the Basque Country in 2014 there was already almost 100% coverage, while in Galicia it was 7.4%.
March 31, a date to become aware
To raise awareness about colon cancer, every March 31 is celebrated the Day for the Prevention of Colon Cancer. Therefore, the Spanish Association Against Cancer will carry out various actions in Madrid to insist on the importance of prevention and the need for an early diagnosis of this disease. In Barcelona, the Barcelona Colon and Rectum Cancer Early Detection Program organizes the conference "We act for prevention", which can be attended free of charge upon registration.
What is colon cancer?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a tumor disease that occurs in the large intestine and rectum. A cancer that affects 1 in 20 men and 1 in 30 women before reaching 74 years of age. But that 90% of the cases that are detected in time can be cured.
Take the initiative
If you don't want to wait until you turn 50 or if there are no preventive programs in your community, you can ask for a fecal occult blood test. According to the AECC, it only costs € 2 through Social Security, but if you don't have a family history, they may not do it for you. In private consultation it can cost you between € 25 and € 100. To do this, go to a clinical analysis laboratory and follow the instructions to take the sample, which you can do at home. Be careful not to eat raw red meat, fruits or vegetables the two days before taking the sample.
There are more and more cases in Spain, why?
1. Abandonment of the Mediterranean diet. The current diet tends to incorporate more meat and processed foods, abandoning the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruit, vegetables and legumes, and which ensures a sufficient supply of fiber. And is that a study of the Polyp Prevention Trial has found that a diet rich in fiber reduces the possibility of polyps appearing by 35%. In addition, giving preference to vegetable protein (legumes) over animal (meat) causes less fat to be consumed and the recommendation of the AECC is that this does not exceed 30% of the total energy provided by the diet. A healthy diet is much more effective in preventing cancer than you think.
2. Fear of getting medical tests. Women, too, should get used to visiting the digestive specialist once a year from the age of 50 to undergo a rectal examination and a test to detect occult blood in the stool on a routine basis. But if there is already reluctance to visit the gynecologist annually, the visit to the digestive specialist or urologist in the case of men is even less frequent.
3. Higher rates of obesity. Obesity in our country affects 16.6% of the population, according to a study carried out in 2012 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Why is it a risk? Fatty tissue, especially that which is concentrated in the belly, hinders the functioning of the folds of the intestine and this implies retention of toxic waste in the body, which can lead to the development of cancer.
