Colorectal cancer: The importance of screening for early diagnosis
Colorectal cancer: The importance of screening for early diagnosis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51473/rcmos.v1i2.2025.1744Keywords:
Colorectal cancer, Screening, Early diagnosis.Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its incidence is increasing in Latin America. It is the most common gastrointestinal tract neoplasm among men and women that is amenable to screening and intervention, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis. The objective was to review the screening methods used and their results, as well as the barriers to meeting the recommended screening guidelines. An integrative review was conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases, employing the descriptors “Colorectal cancer”, “colorectal cancer” AND “screening”, “Colorectal cancer” AND “treatment”, and “Colorectal cancer” AND “prognosis”. Articles from 2019 to 2024 in Portuguese, Spanish, or English were included. Colorectal neoplasm is of great clinical relevance due to its incidence and potential complications. In this context, early screening becomes an effective tool to prevent the progression of polyps into malignant lesions, which may present with bleeding, anemia, weight loss, acute obstruction, and neoplasms. Thus, the importance of performing screening according to guideline recommendations is reinforced so that appropriate interventions can be carried out to prevent outcomes that compromise the quality and life expectancy of affected patients. Colonoscopy is not only a diagnostic method but also an interventional one, as it enables polypectomy, preventing the potential progression of identified polyps into malignant lesions. Therefore, early screening should be promoted and facilitated by public and private health sectors to increase awareness and adherence to screening methods.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Fernanda Esteves Silveira, Jésus Alexandre Alves Júnior, Thais Caldeira Soares Foffano, Raquel Lunardi Rocha (Autor)
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