What is the Intestine Cancer?
The intestine cancer, also called colon and rectum or colorectal tumor, is a preventable condition that has become one of the most frequent diseases among men and women in the western world.
It is the fifth mostly diagnosed cancer in Brazil and the second in the southeastern region of the country. When it is detected late, it can be fatal. Nearly half of the patients with this cancer still die in less than 5 years after treatment . That is why its early detection is so important, when chances for cure are high and the survival rate ranks above 90%.

What is early detection?
It is diagnosing the intestine cancer at its very beginning when it can be cured surgically. In more advanced cases, cure is still possible. However, larger surgeries as well as chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are necessary. 

How to prevent the intestine cancer?
The colorectal cancer can be prevented easily . It usually starts with a polyp that grows in the intestine wall that may eventually become a cancer. By removing the polyp during colonoscopy, the development of cancer is prevented. Therefore, removing the polyp before it grows, without the need for surgery, can prevent the intestine cancer occurrence.

What are polyps?
Polyps are abnormal growths that develop inside the intestine of some people. They do not usually cause symptoms and are only detected when exams like colonoscopy and intestine x-ray (called d ouble-contrast barium enema) are carried out . During colonoscopy polyps (abnormal growths) are removed and later examined to determine whether they have become cancers.

Who is likely to have polyps?
Any person is likely to have polyps along the years. Young people can have them too and very frequently they are linked to genetic syndromes. Some habits can also promote the polyp and cancer occurrence: smoking, eating high-fat and low-fiber diets and food with color additives as well as drinking alcohol regularly.