According to a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA) and published in this week’s Science journal, 66% of the genetic mutations causing cancer occur by chance, when healthy cells replicate their DNA.
A further 29% are due to environmental damages, such as tobacco use, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption, with only 5% due to hereditary factors.
The authors of the study conclude that about 40% of all cancers could be prevented by improving early diagnosis techniques to detect tumours when they can still be treated successfully.
The ServiDigest Clinic, with more than 40 years’ experience in the prevention of digestive cancer, seeks to increase awareness among the population of the importance of prevention as the main way of defeating digestive cancer, especially colon cancer, one of the most prevalent tumours, which occupies first place in terms of incidence when we jointly consider both sexes, men and women.
The number of diagnosed cases of colon cancer have increased in recent years owing to a higher population, ageing, greater life expectancy and improved diagnoses of the disease with screening programmes.
However, despite the increase in the number of diagnosed cases of colon cancer, we should convey a positive message, because prognosis has also improved as a result of the new diagnostic and therapeutic preventive strategies.
The importance of an early diagnosis in colon cancer
We must bear in mind that there is a high long-term survival rate for colon cancer when it is diagnosed in time, in its early stages.
However, if we diagnose it in an advanced state, only a small percentage of patients survive for longer than 5 years.
Many people with colon cancer do not display any signs or symptoms during the early stages of the disease. This is why prevention and early diagnosis are so important.
One of the early diagnosis procedures for rectal and colon diseases is a colonoscopy. It is one of the most effective diagnostic techniques, providing greater sensitivity and specificity.
At the ServiDigest Clinic we have video endoscopes equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as high definition, magnification and chromoendoscopy, enabling us to improve the detection of lesions of the rectum and colon in their initial phases.
In addition to the diagnosis, a colonoscopy enables us to perform endoscopic treatments, drying polypoid lesions and tumours of the rectum and colon, thereby preventing many of these initially benign lesions from transforming into colorectal cancer.
At the ServiDigest Clinic we focus on the concept of comprehensive prevention, as we are aware of the importance of acquiring healthy living habits, including a Mediterranean diet, giving up smoking, reducing alcohol intake, physical activity suitable for each age, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight and obesity and, in addition, having the preventive studies recommended by our digestologist conducted for the prevention of colon cancer.