Colon cancer affects nearly 20,000 people in Poland annually, with early detection increasing survival chances to over 90%.
Colon Cancer Statistics and Prognosis in Poland
Every year in Poland, nearly 20,000 cases of colon cancer are diagnosed. The disease more frequently affects men, with approximately 55 per 100,000 men and 40 per 100,000 women diagnosed annually. Epidemiological data indicates it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country. In recent years, both the incidence and mortality rates have been systematically increasing, affecting women and men to a similar extent.
Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of effective treatment. Statistics show that diagnosis at stage 0 and 1 gives over 90% chance of 5-year survival. The later the diagnosis of colon cancer, the worse the prognosis. In stage IV, it can drop to just a few percent.
What is Colon Cancer? Causes and Development
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor originating from the cells of the epithelium lining the mucous membrane of the intestine. Changes can develop in various parts of the intestine – in the colon, sigmoid colon, or rectum. In the vast majority of cases, the tumor develops on the basis of colon polyps, which are bulges of the mucous membrane into the intestinal lumen. The risk of malignancy depends mainly on the size and histological structure of the change. Generally, the larger the polyp, the higher the probability of malignant transformation.
Common Symptoms of Colon Cancer – What Should Concern You?
Colon cancer develops slowly. Some sources suggest that in some cases it can take even 10 years. However, in the early stages, many patients show no symptoms. In others, the symptoms are nonspecific and are often associated with other ailments – for example, gynecological problems or peptic ulcer disease.
The most common symptoms include: persistent abdominal discomfort, changes in bowel habits, persistent diarrhea or constipation, blood in the stool, persistent abdominal bloating, unexplained weight loss, constant fatigue, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. In the case of changes located in the rectum, symptoms such as a feeling of incomplete evacuation, rectal bleeding, and tenesmus (persistent urge to defecate) may also appear. Particularly alarming symptoms are dark red blood in the stool or a palpable tumor in the abdominal cavity.
Early Detection of Colon Cancer
Colonoscopy is considered the most effective diagnostic method. This examination not only allows for the detection of cancerous changes but also the identification of precancerous states (adenomas) and simultaneous removal of polyps. Thanks to this, colonoscopy serves both diagnostic and preventive functions – it actually reduces the risk of cancer development. The examination can be performed free of charge under the National Health Fund (NFZ) and importantly, also under anesthesia.
The FIT test, which tests for hidden blood in the stool, is also very important. Many experts believe that regular performance of this test plays a key role in the early diagnosis of colon cancer. The test is non-invasive and detects bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract. It allows for the detection of traces of blood in the stool that are not visible to the naked eye. In case of a positive result, further diagnostics are necessary – in some people with such a result, colon cancer is diagnosed.
The stool test for hidden blood is characterized by high sensitivity in detecting colon cancer (79-81.8% in the case of advanced colon cancer). The specificity is about 94-98%, meaning few false positive results. The test can be performed under the NFZ, and privately in laboratories costs about 40 zł. An alternative to the FIT test are cassette tests for hidden blood in the stool, which can be found in every pharmacy. Their price is around a dozen złoty.
