Men above 40 urged to undergo colon tests

The Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) yesterday urged all men above 40 years old to undergo Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) annually to prevent rectal and colon cancer.

PCS executive director Quintin Tan said the test is important to detect cancer since people in this age bracket are usually prone to developing colon and rectal cancer.

Tan added that upon reaching the age 50, both men and women are advised to undergo the Fecal Occult Blood Test annually because such cancer types tend to rise in that age group.

The call is part of PCS’ celebration of "site-specific" cancer awareness month. The focus this month is on the colon and rectum, which are the third leading sites for cancer in the Philippines.

The PCS’ 2005 Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates showed that there were around 8,500 new colon and rectal cancer cases recorded last year. Meanwhile, some 5,500 patients are believed to have died of the disease.

Major risk factors are personal or family history of colon or rectal cancer, polyps in the colon or rectum and inflammatory bowel disease.

"Evidence suggests that a diet high in fat and deficient in whole grains, fruits and vegetables increases the risk," the PCS said.

The symptoms include change in bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea, weight loss, unexplained anemia and blood in stool.

"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly a healthy diet, will decrease a person’s risk. In some Western countries the large-scale detection and removal of polyps has contributed to a decrease in incidence," the PCS added. — Sheila Crisostomo