For years, Rita Campino ignored the warning signs.
It began with something she deliberately ignored: blood in her stool.
Later came the stomach pain and difficulties with going to the bathroom.
Fearing what doctors might find, she chose to endure the discomfort instead of seeking medical help.
By the time she finally decided to get checked, the diagnosis devastated her: Stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“‘Pag may colon cancer ka, alam ko mamamatay ka na, wala ka ng pagasa. Pero nung naoperahan ako, ‘yun lang naman ang sakit ko wala ng iba. Lumakas na po ‘yung loob ko na mabubuhay pa po ako ng matagal. Kine-chemo na po ako. Syempre takot ka rin, kaya lang nagpe-pray ako, lumalakas ang loob ko,” she said.
Rita’s experience is not uncommon, doctors said.
Many patients notice symptoms but delay seeking medical help because of fear, lack of awareness or financial concerns.
Her case is also a reminder of why early detection matters.
“Takot akong malaman na meron akong sakit. Kaya hanggang kaya kong tiisin ‘yung sakit, kinaya ko,” she said.
3rd most common type of cancer in PH
Studies show that colorectal cancer ranks as the third most common cancer among Filipinos, following breast and lung cancer.
Health experts are also seeing a troubling trend: more cases among younger adults.
According to international studies cited by medical institutions like Yale Medicine and the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer cases have been rising by around two percent annually among people younger than 50.
This finding challenges the belief that colorectal cancer is a disease of older adults.
Dr. Anthony Gerodias of the Philippines Society of Gastroenterologists explained that lifestyle choices play a significant role in colorectal cancer risk.
“The food choices we eat. Mga highly preserved foods, fast foods and, especially, No. 1 talaga is alcohol and smoking,” he said.
“Our colon processes all of our intake. It’s also exposed to our waste products. The more garbage that we eat, the more inflammation predisposes us.”
Family history can also increase a person’s risk.
Those who have close relatives diagnosed with colorectal cancer may need to undergo screening earlier than the general population.
“For example, a brother of mine was diagnosed at 40 years old. That would increase my risk factor, so minus 10 tayo, so 30 years old na ‘yung screening natin, even constipation. We would advocate doing a colonoscopy at an earlier age,” Gerodias said.
Symptoms
Doctors said people should seek medical consultation if they experience possible symptoms of colorectal cancer, including: changes in bowel habits, narrow or thin stools, dark or bloody stools, persistent fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
While these symptoms do not always mean cancer, they should still be evaluated by a doctor.
Medical experts emphasize that colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers that can actually be prevented through screening.
The most common screening procedure is colonoscopy, where a thin tube with a camera is inserted into the rectum to examine the large intestine for abnormal growths called polyps.
These polyps can be removed before they develop into cancer.
Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, another gastroenterologist, said many cases could be avoided through regular screening.
“It always hurts or pains me when I have, let’s say, an 85-year-old, completely healthy otherwise, no hypertension, no diabetes, is very active, and then has colon cancer. Because if he had had a colonoscopy screening, that could have been avoided. So part of healthy aging is screening,” he said.
For Campino, the diagnosis was frightening, but treatment has given her hope.
Her story now serves as a reminder to others not to ignore the body’s warning signs.
Doctors said the message during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is as simple as not delaying checkups.
When detected early, colorectal cancer is not only treatable. It can be prevented. (ABS-CBN News)