Healthcare action to raise awareness of colorectal carcinoma in the Czech Republic

Colorectal carcinoma - a malignant tumour of the large intestine and rectum ranges among the most common types of cancer in the Czech Republic. That is why PLIVA in the Czech Republic, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and League against Cancer have decided to organize a health education event for the public aimed at the prevention of this disease as a programme accompanying the Brno Oncology Days 2004.
On 27 and 28 May 2004 from 2.30 - 5.30 p.m. a historic tramway was parked in the centre of Brno serving as an information centre and temporary consulting room for the general public. The citizens had an opportunity to discuss their problems with a doctor, visit a healthy life-style advice service or have their blood pressure or body mass index measured for free.

A press conference held on Tuesday 18 May in the presence of leading representatives of Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute and PLIVA-Lachema contributed to promoting the event as well as increasing the interest of the public.

Colorectal carcinoma in the Czech Republic
Annually about 3,000 new cases of the large intestine carcinoma and 2,600 cases of rectum carcinoma are revealed. The indication has trebled since 1960. In 1999 the indication incidence reached 75 per 100,000 inhabitants and 6,300 people have died of the large intestine and rectum carcinoma. Especially alarming is the fact that half the number of malignant tumours is discovered late, in the advanced stage. A radical surgery is possible in only 60% of cases. Nevertheless, colorectal carcinoma is in fact one of the tumours that can be easily influenced by prevention and treated if discovered in its early stage.

Typical for colorectal carcinoma is a long-term absence of any symptoms and clinical symptoms differing according to the tumour location. Decisive is especially the pre-cancer stage detection - adenomatous polyps, the removal of which can considerably decrease the risk of carcinoma. Especially important for the tumour formation is nutrition. The risk of carcinoma increases with the excessive consumption of energy, fat, frequent consumption of red meat, roast meat, alcohol, smoking and lack of protective substances - e.g. vitamin C and folic acid, and last but not least the lack of fibre in food. The risk decreases if we eat enough fruit and vegetables, fibre, poultry and fish.