Is Stomach And Colon Cancer On The Rise In Young Women? A Dubai Doctor Weighs In
As the Princess Of Wales revealed that she is battling the disease, it prompted crucial discussions around the prevalence of the illness in women
Kate Middleton recently shared the reason why she has been refraining from public appearances, stating that after a planned surgery in January, doctors detected cancer in her and is undergoing preventative chemotherapy treatments.
“The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment,” she said in an Instagram video.
She admitted it had come as a “huge shock” – indicating how cancer can go undetected.
While the Princess of Wales did not reveal what type of tumour she had, the announcement prompted a crucial conversation about the detection and prevalence of this silent yet deadly disease, particularly amongst women.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia spoke to Dr Giovanni Leonetti, a Specialist General Surgeon in Gastroenterology at the Cornerstone Clinic based in Dubai, who shared insights about the illness…
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What Type Of Cancer Could Have Been Detected During Kate Middleton’s Abdominal Surgery?
Dr Giovanni Leonetti (Dr GL): Although the details provided are limited, it is hypothesised that the tumour affecting the princess could involve organs such as the stomach, ovary, uterus, or colon.
HBA: Is It Common For Women Of Kate’s Age To Be Diagnosed with Cancer?
Dr GL: It is rare for a tumour to be diagnosed in a young patient, like Kate, who is only 42, but cases of some cancers are increasing, especially in developed countries.
From data collected for the World Health Organization (WHO) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, they estimate around 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths worldwide from cancer.
Number one is lung cancer, the most common tumour worldwide with 2.5 million new cases, equal to 12.4 percent of the total. This is followed by female breast cancer (2.3 million cases, 11.6 percent) then colorectal cancer (1.9 million cases, 9.6 percent), prostate cancer (1.5 million of cases, 7.3 percent), and that of the stomach (970 thousand cases, 4.9 percent).
HBA: What Lifestyle Factors Could Potentially Lead To Stomach Cancer?
Dr GL: Nutrition plays an important role. Also, cigarette smoking is associated with an approximately 40 percent increase in the risk of developing stomach cancer, as well as the likelihood of cancers of the parts just above the stomach, such as the cardia and distal esophagus.
An increased risk has also been documented in people with hereditary oncological syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis, diffuse hereditary gastric carcinoma (mainly linked to mutations in the CDH1 gene), juvenile polyposis syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Lynch and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.
Other factors to remember, classified as predisposing, are AIDS, peptic ulcer, diabetes mellitus, pernicious anemia, and the presence of intestinal metaplasia.
HBA: What Factors Could Lead To Someone Getting Colon Cancer?
Dr GL: Diet plays a part here too. Another aspect to consider is hereditary genetic alterations. If you have had a case of colorectal cancer in the family, the risk of becoming ill is higher, especially if the disease was diagnosed in a close relative, under the age of 45, or in more than one close relative in the same family.
People who fear falling into these categories can get tested to detect the presence of genetic alterations and, consequently, assess the actual risk of developing the disease. Those found to be at high risk may undergo a regular screening program, which usually consists of a colonoscopy.
HBA: What Indications Should Women Be Wary Of For Early Detection?
Dr GL: Pay attention to any alarming symptoms, such as persistent nausea and vomiting, difficulty in ingesting foods and liquids, presence of blood in stool, change in intestinal activity for no reason for more than six weeks, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain in the abdomen, the sensation of incomplete emptying of the bowel after a bowel movement.
In such cases, it is essential to contact your doctor to follow the correct diagnostic and therapeutic procedure to clarify the problem underlying these pathological symptoms.
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@princeandprincessofwales