ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, March 19th 2014
Explains the stages of the disease using a colon replica displayed in public areas
Abu Dhabi Police has confirmed that the prevention and early detection program for colon cancer includes and covers all areas in Abu Dhabi. The program raises the awareness of citizens and residents and introduces them to facts about the disease and methods of prevention, encouraging them to get early detection tests and follow healthy diet plans. It also urges them to participate in sports to reduce the chances of getting the disease.
As part of the program’s events, Abu Dhabi Police’s Medical Services Department displayed a giant colon replica at Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall to explain the stages of the disease to the public in a simplified way. The medical staff used the walk-through colon replica to explain how the disease starts, its stages, and methods of prevention. They stressed the importance of regular checkups to help prevent cancer or to detect it in its early stages in order to help cure the disease.
Medical examinations
Major Dr. Tariq Abdullah Al Junaibi, Health Education Branch Manager at the Medical Services Department of Abu Dhabi Police, said that several awareness lectures will be organized as part of the program’s events. Booklets will also be distributed to explain the causes of the disease and possible methods of prevention, as well as an introduction to colorectal cancer and risk factors, to help individuals avoid the causes of this disease and to illustrate the benefits of early detection through regular checkups and screening. Other events and activities will also be organized at the Al Ain Football Club, the Ministry of Interior and the Al Ain Police Directorate, as well as a walkathon, scheduled to take place on Abu Dhabi Corniche that is open to all members of the community.
For his part, Dr. Sameh Mohamed Fakhri, Gastroenterology Consultant at Abu Dhabi Police Medical Services Department, stressed the need to undergo regular checkups to help with the early detection of colon and rectal cancer. He said that individuals that are both male and female and are aged40-75 should have a colonoscopy done once every 10 years, or test for blood in the stool every two years. He advised them to follow a high fiber diet that includes large amounts of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and to avoid foods with high fat content (especially saturated fat), increase their calcium intake and exercise regularly to reduce the chances of getting cancer.
Prevention and treatment
Dr. Fakhri also spoke about the disease, and how to assess the disease extent, as well as the methods of prevention and treatment. He noted that there are several known risk factors that affect a person’s chance of getting the disease. “Most colorectal cancers occur in people without a family history of colorectal cancer. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases after the age of 40, and having colorectal cancer in a family member or more (like parents, siblings, or children) increases your risk of cancer if the family member is a first degree relative. The chances also increase if there is a family history of other types of cancer like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or the presence of disease-related infections or Granulomatous Ulcerative colitis (Crohn's Disease).
Colon cancer is a malignant tumor that affects both men and women, and is considered a major cause of cancer fatalities, but it can be prevented by following simple preventive measures that reduce the chances of cancer significantly. It is also highly treatable if detected in its early stages.
Healthy food
Dr. Fakhri mentioned that a high-fat and low-fiber diet, sedentary lifestyles and lack of regular physical activity increase may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Many cases of colon and rectal cancers have no symptoms at all. With time, a number of symptoms will start to show, and the most likely warning signs include: rectal bleeding, bloody stool, weight loss that occurs without dieting, and extreme fatigue. He said: “If you experience these symptoms, you must consult a doctor, as they are the only ones that can determine if these symptoms are caused by colon or rectal cancer, or by some other disease.”
He stressed that early detection is necessary in the absence of symptoms, in order to detect any early signs of colon or rectal cancer, which are not usually accompanied by any symptoms. The early stages are when the disease most likely to be curable. There are also benign non-cancerous tumors or polyps shaped like a grape. They grow on the inside walls of the colon or rectum and grow very slowly over the course of 3 to 10 years, but most individuals do no develop these tumors until after the age of 40.
Dr. Fakhri added: “Some of these polyps or tumors become cancerous, so the patient must undergo an early screening test to check for possible benign tumors and to have them removed.” He assured that removing these polyps is an effective tool to prevent colorectal cancer.
He pointed to a number of early detection tests, advising people to undergo these tests between the ages of 40 and 75.These tests include: clinical examinations carried out by a doctor, stool tests, colonoscopies, and other tests like X-rays and CT scans, and capsule endoscopies.
Talking to your doctor
Dr. Fakhri also noted that early detection involves tests that look for any changes or tumors that could become cancerous in healthy people who do not have any symptoms, adding that early detection of colon and rectal cancer means looking for benign tumors (Adenomas) ,which in time, may become cancerous. They require removal before they become cancerous tumors.
He continued: “We recommend that you talk to your doctor to determine the best methods. However we recommend the colonoscopy, as it is used to diagnose and treat at the same time by removing adenomas that may become cancerous over an average of 10 years.”
He said that countries worldwide have recognized March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and promote the cause through campaigns that are organized for this purpose. He added that raising citizens’ and residents’ awareness regarding colon and rectal cancer and other diseases is Abu Dhabi Police’s Medical Services Department’s highest priority.
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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10383/en
That's a very nice way to educate people about colorectal cancer
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