Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus should be considered at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer due to the common conditions shared by both diseases, said this Saturday the medical director of Asofarma, Arturo Vázquez Leduc.
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, which is commemorated on November 14, Vázquez Leduc recalled that diabetes and colorectal cancer share similar conditions: an unhealthy diet, obesity, an inflammatory state, and even some treatments to regulate blood sugar.
For this reason, some researchers suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes should be considered in early detection methods for colorectal cancer (CRC) to provide timely treatment due to the increased risk they present.
The 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) indicates that 14.4% of adults over 20 years of age in Mexico have diabetes, making this disease one of the main health problems in the country.
This condition can increase the risk of colorectal cancer, so early detection is highly relevant.
The medical director of the Pharmaceutical Association, Asofarma, highlighted that the American Cancer Society recommends carrying out screening tests starting at age 45 in people with average risk.
Before that age, if there is a family history of colorectal cancer, it is therefore important for patients with diabetes to undergo the necessary tests, such as colonoscopy, to detect any abnormality promptly.
Vázquez Leduc explained that with the campaign “Prevention begins inside”, Asofarma seeks to raise awareness among the population about the importance of performing early detection tests such as colonoscopy, because if detected in early stages, colorectal cancer can be cured in up to 90% of cases, even in patients with diabetes.
“It is essential to see a doctor, whether you are a diabetic or not, because, in the early stages, colorectal cancer is asymptomatic, which is why it is important to have a colonoscopy because it can prevent the development of this disease,” he added.
“If during the study, irregular tissue growth is detected in the large intestine, which is known as polyps, they can be removed during the procedure, preventing them from developing into colorectal cancer,” said the doctor.
According to Globocan 2020 figures, 14,900 new cases of colorectal cancer are recorded in Mexico each year and 7,674 people die from this disease, making it the fourth cause of cancer death.
The main symptoms of this disease are abdominal pain and distension, change in bowel movements (constipation and/or diarrhea), blood in the stools, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
+ There are no comments
Add yours