“I have a rare disease that gives me a 100% chance of getting cancer.”

The colon plays an important role in the body, as it is responsible for absorbing water and nutrients, as well as eliminating waste from the body. Some adenomatous polyps, if left untreated, increase the patient’s risk of developing colorectal cancer by 100% before the age of 40. The disease also increases the risk of developing tumors of the pancreas, thyroid gland, brain, and liver.

“The first symptoms usually appear in adolescence or adulthood, so when a person is diagnosed with the disease, it is important to monitor their children and perform regular colonoscopies even if they do not yet have symptoms,” explains Samuel Aguiar Jr., leader of the Reference Center for Colorectal Tumors and Vice President of the Reference Center for Sarcomas and Bone Tumors at AC Camargo Hospital.

The disease usually has no symptoms in its early stages, and the main symptoms appear when the number of polyps is already large. These symptoms are: changes in bowel habits (the bowel becomes too stuck or too loose), abdominal pain, bloody stools, dehydration and anemia.

Diagnosis is mainly made by colonoscopy. Usually, people with the disease who already have children are alerted to start screening their offspring from childhood. “It is possible to perform a genetic test that tracks the disease in the children of patients who are diagnosed with the disease. This test can be performed by SUS [Sistema Único de Saúde] Health plans are also required to offer this, explains proctologist Helio Antonio Silva, communications director for the Brazilian Society of Colon and Rectal Medicine.

treatment

Treatment for the disease involves removing the large intestine to prevent the development of colorectal cancer. All treatments, including surgery to remove the organ, are covered by SUS.