Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer both globally and in our country. It is one of the cancer types with the highest survival rates when diagnosed and treated early, and it is also possible to prevent it through regular screening before it develops. With Cad Eye technology, which offers an advanced support for regular screenings, early-stage treatment becomes possible by detecting polyps that can turn into cancer.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer can occur due to benign tumor masses that grow as protrusions on the inner surface of the large intestine. These masses are called polyps. These tumors, which initially develop as benign in the intestine, can sometimes turn into cancer; therefore, detecting and monitoring polyps is very important. The presence of polyps in the early stages can only be detected through colonoscopy and endoscopy. If undetected, the growth of polyps can lead to colon cancer, cancerous cells can spread to different parts of the body, and the patient's lifespan can be shortened.
According to statistics, death rates due to colon cancer rank 3rd among deaths caused by all types of cancer. However, if colon cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate can reach up to 90%. This rate can drop below 10% in stage 4.
What Are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?
Common symptoms of colon cancer include a feeling of bloating in the abdomen, loss of appetite and weight, darkening of stool color, painful and/or bloody stools, frequent diarrhea and/or constipation, and a sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation after defecation.
Cad Eye Artificial Intelligence Technology
Detecting polyps is possible with the aid of medical imaging devices used by physicians during their examinations. Diagnosis can be made through endoscopy and colonoscopy conducted using these devices.
Detecting polyps in the early stages may not be possible without advanced technologies, and even expert physicians may sometimes overlook them during normal endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Cad Eye Artificial Intelligence Technology, developed to eliminate such drawbacks, not only detects polyps and maps them on its screen but also provides data on their potential to be benign or malignant. Compatible with medical imaging devices offering HD image quality, Cad Eye Artificial Intelligence Technology can detect polyps quite efficiently as it has been trained with numerous clinical images using a powerful supercomputer. It also facilitates the storage of clinical images without any alterations.
As the most advanced medical imaging technology of our time, Cad Eye offers cutting-edge support in preventing colon cancer and diagnosing and treating it at an early stage, by raising the real-time polyp detection rate to expert level, assisting in recognizing flat lesions, multiple polyps simultaneously, and any other lesions.
Transmitting images to the doctor's screen simultaneously to its own AI for polyp detection, Cad Eye artificial intelligence technology is predicted to be used for early diagnosis of stomach cancer and possible other areas in the upcoming periods.
What Causes Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer can arise due to environmental and lifestyle factors in addition to genetic factors. Having a family history of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), advanced age, low-fiber and high-fat diets, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and alcohol use are among the primary causes that increase the risk of colon cancer. Excessive consumption of processed foods is also an important risk factor that can lead to colon cancer.
The answer to what causes colon cancer shows that assessing personal risks and making lifestyle changes can help prevent this disease. Therefore, especially individuals in the risk group must undergo regular screening tests.
What Are the Stages of Colon Cancer?
The stages of colon cancer are classified according to the extent of the disease and play a critical role in forming the treatment plan:
Stage 0 (Carcinoma in situ): Cancer is located only in the intestinal mucosa. It can be completely removed by surgery.
Stage 1: Cancer has penetrated the inner layers of the intestinal wall but has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant organs.
Stage 2: Cancer has advanced to deeper layers of the intestinal wall but has not yet reached the lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to distant organs such as the liver and lungs (metastasized).
The stages of colon cancer are decisive in the course and treatment success of the disease, and survival rates are quite high when diagnosed in the early stages.
Colon Cancer Symptoms Should Not Be Ignored
Colon cancer symptoms typically become apparent in the advanced stages of the disease. Therefore, if the following symptoms are noticed, a specialist must be consulted:
- Blood in the stool or dark-colored stool
- Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
- Persistent constipation or diarrhea
- Changes in bowel movements
- Abdominal discomfort, bloating, and gas problems
- Feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
Although these symptoms do not always signify colon cancer, they should be considered significant for early diagnosis. It's extremely important for individuals aged 50 and above, those with a family history of colon cancer, or those with risk factors like inflammatory bowel diseases to have these symptoms evaluated early.
Early diagnosis is one of the most critical factors directly impacting the treatment success of colon cancer. Thanks to advanced screening methods, polyps that can be detected before cancer develops can be easily removed. This allows the disease to be prevented or caught at a very early stage, enabling more effective treatment.
Screening tests like colonoscopy should be performed regularly starting from age 50, even in the absence of any symptoms. For individuals in high-risk groups, this age limit can be adjusted to earlier periods. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a diet rich in fiber, avoiding processed foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining an ideal weight also play a crucial role in reducing the risk of colon cancer. When diagnosed early, the treatment success for colon cancer is quite high. Do not ignore the signals your body gives you and do not neglect your regular health check-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is colon cancer genetic?
Yes, colon cancer can be caused by genetic factors. Individuals with a family history of colon cancer, especially among first-degree relatives (mother, father, sibling), have an increased risk of developing this disease. Hereditary conditions like Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome can significantly increase colon cancer risk. It is crucial for individuals with genetic predisposition to begin screening programs at an earlier age and undergo regular colonoscopy. Utilizing genetic counseling services and maintaining regular doctor check-ups can help these individuals properly manage their risk.
Can colon cancer be completely cured?
Colon cancer, especially when diagnosed in the early stages, can be completely curable. In early stages, since the tumor is limited to the intestine, the cancerous tissue can be completely removed through surgical intervention. Following surgery, some patients may receive supportive treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Although treatment can become more complex in advanced stages, targeted therapies and immunotherapies can help control the disease. Remember that early diagnosis directly affects treatment success; therefore, undergoing regular screenings and consulting a specialist promptly when symptoms arise is highly important.
How is colon cancer diagnosed?
The most reliable method for diagnosing colon cancer is colonoscopy. During colonoscopy, the doctor examines the large intestines with a special camera and can take biopsies from suspected polyps or lesions. The collected tissue samples are examined in a laboratory to establish a definitive diagnosis. In addition to this, occult blood testing in the stool, computed tomography (CT) colonoscopy, and in some cases, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used in diagnostics. Recently developed imaging technologies supported by artificial intelligence, like Cad Eye, allow clearer visualization and earlier detection of polyps, making the diagnostic process much more precise and reliable.
What should be done to prevent colon cancer?
The most effective way to prevent colon cancer is to control risk factors and participate in regular screenings. Consuming a diet rich in fiber and predominantly consisting of vegetables and fruits while limiting the intake of red meat and processed foods supports digestive system health and reduces the risk of colon cancer. Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, maintaining balanced body weight, and avoiding obesity is also very crucial. Since smoking and alcohol consumption can lead to harmful changes in intestinal cells, avoiding these habits is essential. For individuals aged 50 and above, having regular colonoscopies even without any complaints plays a critical role in preventing colon cancer. For those with familial risk, these check-ups should start at an earlier age.