Early detection is vital to treating colorectal cancer

More than 70 per cent of colorectal cancer cases in the country are currently detected in the later stages due to a lack of awareness about the risks of the disease, leading health officials said in the capital on. When the disease, which is the second cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, is detected in its later stages, survival rates are as low as 30 per cent, Dr Jalaa Taher, head of cancer control and prevention section at the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD), told Gulf News. "On the other hand, detecting the signs of this disease in stages I and II ensures a survival rate of 92 per cent. However, this requires residents to live healthier lifestyles, and to screen themselves on a regular basis, which is unfortunately not yet being done," she added. Colorectal cancer is a malignant tumour which develops over several years in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum. It is usually indicated by a growth of non-cancerous tissue known as a polyp, which can become cancerous. The risks arise because colorectal polyps and even cancers do not always result in visible symptoms. In 2010, 132 people were diagnosed with the cancer in the UAE, including 67 cases in Abu Dhabi emirate. Eighty-five per cent of the cases were in residents 40 years of age or older. To increase awareness about the deadly disease and reduce the number of deaths from it, the HAAD yesterday launched an awareness campaign that will reach out to both residents and medical staff in the emirate. "Six out of every 10 deaths from colorectal cancer can be prevented if men and women are regularly screened, which is what we are encouraging. In fact, screenings can detect polyps before they become cancerous, thus providing even more protection," Dr Jalaa said. The HAAD recommends screening for men and women between 40 and 75 years of age via a faecal exam every two years, or a colonoscopy every 10 years. Currently, these screenings are covered by Thiqa insurance for Emiratis and by other insurance plans for many expatriate residents. General practitioners and nurses will also be trained to point out risk factors to patients and encourage regular screenings. "In September, we will embark on a pilot project to screen Emiratis across eight public and private hospitals. Once these results are evaluated, we will attempt to encourage regular screenings for all from next year onwards, and we hope to provide insurance coverage for all expatriates," Dr Jalaa said. A previous pilot project to screen Emiratis was launched by the HAAD at the Bani Yas Health Centre in 2010, but did not yield substantial results. "People were simply not aware of the risks of the disease and did not come for screenings," the HAAD official said.