In the Cayman Islands, April is observed as Gastrointestinal Cancer Awareness Month. This cancer includes all cancers in the digestive tract organs, varying from the large and small intestine, stomach, liver, colon, pancreas, biliary system, anus, and rectum.
Gastrointestinal Cancers include
Anal Cancer
Colorectal
Cancer
Gallbladder Cancer
Liver Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Oral Cancer
Small Intestine Cancer
Cholangiocarcinoma (cancer of the bile duct)
Esophageal Cancer
Gastric Cancer
Bile is produced by the liver and helps the body absorb fat.
Symptoms of this cancer relate to the organ affected and can include obstruction (leading to difficulty swallowing or defecating), abnormal bleeding, or other associated problems. The diagnosis often requires endoscopy, followed by a biopsy of suspicious tissue. The treatment depends on the tumour’s location, the type of cancer cell, and whether it has invaded other tissues or spread elsewhere. These factors also determine the prognosis.
The accessory organs of digestion are responsible for more cancers and more death from any cancer than any other system in the body.
Upper Digestive Tract
Stomach Cancer: The fourth most common type of cancer and the second cause of death by cancer globally.
Esophageal Cancer: Sixth-most-common cancer in the world
Pancreatic Cancer: The fifth-most-common cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the seventh most common in Europe
Liver Cancer: This cancer usually comes from prolonged Hepatitis B or C infection. This could be a result of chronic alcoholism or cirrhosis.
Gallbladder Cancer: This cancer is common in older women. Gallbladder cancer is strongly associated with gallstones.
Lower Digestive Tract
Anal Cancer: Strongly associated with ulcerative colitis and sexually transmissible infections HPV and HIV. Anal cancer may cause constipation or tenesmus or may be felt as a palpable mass, although it may occasionally present as an ulcerative form.
Colorectal cancer: Colorectal cancer is a disease of old age: It typically originates in the secretory cells lining the gut, and risk factors include diets low in vegetable fiber and high in fat.
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumour: A gastrointestinal carcinoid tumour is a rare, slow-growing form of cancer that affects specific cells in the lining of the stomach and intestines.
Prevention Habits
A few lifestyle habits that can aid in preventing gastrointestinal cancer are lowering the consumption of alcohol, converting to a healthier diet, avoiding smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight.
