Why you should check for colon cancer

MANILA -- Colon cancer is fourth among the top causes of cancer-related deaths in the world and the rate is going up even in the Philippines, according to Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes.

In dzMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Gopez-Cervantes, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist, explained that colon cancer is a cancer in any part of the 1.5 meter-long large intestine that processes waste that goes out through the rectum.

"Kapag namamaga ang colon o 'yung large intestine, nagkakaroon ng diarrhea kasi 'di naaabsorb ang water."

Colon cancer has four stages:

Stage 1

- The tumor is localized and is only on the surface of the colon. It is usually found as incidental finding when a CT scan or colonoscopy is administered to the patient.

Stage 2

- The tumor goes deeper into the colon and invades lower layers of the large intestine.

Stage 3

- Lymph nodes (kulani) will be present.

Stage 4

- The tumor reaches other organs such as the liver, kidney, and bones.

The bad news is that the symptoms of colon cancer will only be noticeable once the tumor has already advanced.

"Kung ang tumor o ang cancer ay nasa left side ng colon, 'yung few centimeters magmula sa anal opening... nagkakaroon ng manifestation ng pagbara ng daanan ng dumi kaya lumiliit ang dumi."

There will be instances when the patient will experience alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation, blood stains on their stool, or loss of appetite that could lead to weight loss.

If the tumor is in the right side, one of its manifestation is anemia.

Unlike the tumor in the left side of the colon, bleeding won't be noticeable for those who has it on the right side.

Patients with ages 50 to 65 years old may experience weight loss and anemia might be showing signs of colon cancer.

Colon cancer is seldom painful unless it is already in an advanced stage.

"Seldom magbibigay ng pain unless bumara na ang isang tumor kunwari sa left side, lumaki na to the point na halos 'di na makalabas ang dumi, lalaki ang intestine to the point na lalaki ang tiyan, magbibigay ng abdominal pain, vomiting, at kadalasan walang lumalabas na hangin o dumi man."

However, there is good news: colon cancer can be treated early and prevented.

Gopez-Cervantes said the tumor starts as a polyp (tissue) in the large intestine which can evolve and develop into colon cancer.

If it is immediately seen by the doctor, it can be removed to prevent it from growing.

"Kung nakita siya during colonoscopy which is the direct visualization of the inside of the colon, 'pag nakitang may polyp o lamang tumutubo, kayang-kayang tanggalin right there and then lalo na kung 'di gaanong kalakihan and that will save the patient from colon cancer."

She reminded everyone to get checked, especially those who already reached 50 years old because 20 to 30 percent of their population produce polyps which can lead to cancer in five to 10 years.

People who have a family history of colon cancer or those who have immediate family members who had polyps removed from their colon should undergo screening when they reach 40 to 45 years old.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How pain relievers can harm the liver

MANILA -- The health of a person's liver can be determined through the level of certain enzymes in the body, a gastroenterologist explained on Tuesday.

On radio DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. Edward Lim, a gastroenterologist from the Chinese General Hospital, said a person can determine if his or her liver is healthy by undergoing a routine blood test.

He said this can be done by determining the level of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) or serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) in the blood.

Both SGOT and SGPT are enzymes that can be found in a person's liver.

"Marami kasi sa mga pasyente, kapag nagpa-routine blood examination, lumalabas na mataas ang katas sa atay. Ibig sabihin, may problema sila (sa atay)," Lim said.

If the SGPT is higher than the SGOT, then it means that there is something wrong with the liver.

However, if the SGOT is higher than the SGPT, then it means that there is something wrong with the tubes of one's liver.

Lim said people who often consume alcoholic drinks usually have higher levels of SGOT in their blood, which means they might have problems with the tubes on their liver.

"Sa tubo ng atay dumadaan ang mga katas o enzymes papunta sa small intestines. 'Yung bile, tumutulong sa digestion. Kapag may bumabara sa tubo ng atay, hindi makakalabas yung enzymes, mamamaga siya," he added.

On the other hand, a person with higher levels of SGPT in his blood may have liver problems such as hepatitis, fatty liver, or a damaged liver caused by medication.

Lim explained that all medicines are metabolized either in the kidney and liver, and may have bad effects on the organs if taken beyond the recommended dose.

"Medicines hit the liver or the kidney. Kailangan silang ilabas, otherwise, nagiging toxic. Kapag sobra ang dosage, nakakasira ng kidney o atay."

Some medicines that affect the liver are pain relievers like acetaminophen and paracetamol, and medication used to cure tuberculosis.

Lim clarified that these medicines can only affect the liver if the person takes more than the required dosage.

He said this is a common problem in the US and Europe, but is uncommon in the Philippines.

"Sa Pilipinas hindi masyadong problema kasi marami, hindi compliant sa gamot. Minsan kahit 1 linggo dapat, iinumin lang ang gamot, 2 araw," Lim said.

Some people, especially those who are overweight, or have a diet high in fat, may suffer from fatty liver.

"Nagkakaroon ng fatty liver kapag hindi na alam ng liver kung anong gagawin sa excess fat. Namamaga ang atay, nababalutan ng taba. 'Yung mga pagitan ng cells ng atay, may taba," Lim added.

He also explained that men should have an SGPT below 30, while women should have SGPT below 20.

Those who want to know if they have problems with their liver should undergo a blood test, and have their liver enzymes checked.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com