PANJIM, NOV 2
The Goa Medical College and Hospital in Bambolim may now go in for screenings for colorectal cancer cases as is being done for early detection of breast cancer looking at the growing number of incidents of the disease over the last few years in the State.
A study conducted by Head of the Pathology Department at GMC Dr Wiseman Pinto reveals colorectal cancer statistics for 2009 stand second after breast cancer. This is worrisome because the numbers of this disease has seen a gradual rise over the past few years, he notes.
His study shows colorectal cases have accounted for 10.61 per cent (103) of the total number (971) of cancers in 2009, while the figure for breast cancer is 16.77 per cent (i.e. 163 cases).
Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer, includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. “Goans are susceptible to this disease given their eating habits that include intake of high-calorific food,” Dr Wiseman observes.
He adds the risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age and most cases occur between 60 and 70. It may strike even before age 50, but this is a rarity, unless there is a family history of early colon cancer, he explains.
According to the study in 2009, Dr Wiseman received 8,828 biopsy tissues, out of which 971 came out positive for different cancers of breast, colorectal, cervix, stomach, mouth, tongue, pharynx, etc.
“Out of the 971 patients, 459 were males and 512 females. The number of females is more because of the high number of breast cancer cases,” the doctor says. “Consumption and use of tobacco, betel nut, alcohol, salted foods, meats, etc., are responsible for the rising number of different types of cancers in the State,” he mentions.
