Blue lighting in Congress is part of the bowel cancer prevention campaign – News

03/25/2024 – 13:25

The National Congress is lit up in blue this Monday (25th) and Tuesday (26th), in line with the national awareness campaign about bowel cancer, known as Navy Blue March. The lighting was requested by the Federal Senate.

The initiative aims to promote the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in the early stages of the disease, prioritizing primary and secondary prevention. According to experts, this type of cancer, which affects the large intestine and rectum, is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world and one of the most lethal.

Risk factors
Several factors can contribute to the development of the disease, including a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, excessive consumption of red meat, alcohol and tobacco, as well as a diet low in fiber, fruits and vegetables, as well as genetic and hereditary influences.

Early identification, especially through tests such as fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopies, can increase cure rates by up to 80%. Symptoms include the presence of blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, weakness, anemia, unexplained weight loss, among other indicators.

Statistics
According to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), colon and rectal cancer ranks third among the most common in the country. The agency estimates that more than 45 thousand new cases will appear per year in Brazil between 2023 and 2025.

From the Editor – RL