Colon cancer: understanding the disease that faced Pele

The football king has died at the age of 82 after a long battle with cancer

Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the popular Pelé, also known as the king of football, died today (29) at the age of 82, years after facing a colon cancer. The world sport icon was admitted to the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo.

Understand colon cancer

According to Artur Ferreira, oncologist at CPO/Oncoclínicas, most cases of colon cancer result from malignant transformation of the cells that cover the organs. That is, the problem tends to be serious. Therefore, caution must be exercised.

“They have numerous causes, among which overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and alcoholism stand out. In addition to the high consumption of red and processed meats, low fiber and vegetable intake, diabetes and infections such as hepatitis B and C, Helicobarter Pylori infection and Human Papillomavirus infection, HPV,” he explains.

Furthermore, according to Renata D’Alpino, leader of the specialty of gastrointestinal tumors, blood in the stool can be an early sign that something is not right for your health. “Many people tend to attribute this event to other conventional causes, such as hemorrhoids.

The doctor says that often the tumor is discovered only late, in the face of more severe symptoms. Such as, for example, anemia, constipation or diarrhea without apparent causes, weakness, gas and abdominal cramps or even weight loss.

Diagnosis and prevention

The main form of prevention and diagnosis is through the colonoscopic examination. Made with a flexible tube and a camera at the end, where it is introduced into the intestine, it takes pictures that reveal the presence of any changes. Thus allowing also the removal of polyps and biopsies of suspicious lesions.

In Brazil, the Ministry of Health recommends starting colon and rectal cancer screening in the normal-risk adult population in the age group of 50. But many countries have already reduced it to 45 years.

Treatment

It all depends on the type and location of the cancer and also how it looks, is located or is spreading. However, in general, the approach may include surgery, chemotherapy (combined or not with radiation therapy), targeted drug therapies, and immunotherapy.

According to Artur, these are diseases that are potentially curable if diagnosed in their early stages. “They’re practically incurable when they’re spread throughout the body, in metastases,” he adds.

Therefore, early screening is important so that the diagnosis catches the cancer at an early stage and the chance of a cure is higher.

Sources: Artur Ferreira, oncologist at CPO/Oncoclínicas; Heber Salvador de Castro Ribeiro, oncological surgeon and vice president of the Brazilian Society of Oncological Surgery; Renata D’Alpino, oncologist and leader of the specialty of gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine tumors at Grupo Oncoclínicas.

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Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.