Brasília – The Health Committee of House of Representatives held a public hearing on the panorama and measures for the prevention and control of colorectal cancer. The debate was requested and chaired by representative Dr. Frederico (PT-PI).

Ministry of Health

Initially, José Barreto Campelo Carvalheira, general coordinator of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Policy, highlighted that colorectal cancer is one of the diseases that has been growing with the highest incidence in Brazil. In his speech, Barreto also emphasized the importance of early diagnosis.

Suyanne Camille Caldeira Monteiro, technical advisor at the Ministry of Health, discussed the importance of tackling colorectal cancer, highlighting data from the World Health Organization that places this type of cancer as the third most common globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related death . She emphasized the need to address different aspects of disease control, including prevention, health promotion, screening, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care.

Health promotion and prevention have been highlighted as key in the fight against colorectal cancer, with the World Health Organization emphasizing the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. This includes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, smoking cessation, physical exercise, moderation in alcohol consumption and actions to avoid exposure to environmental risks.

Suyanne mentioned that, recognizing the need for a National Screening Program for Colorectal Cancer in Brazil, the General Coordination of Strategic Actions in Oncology (CGCAN), in partnership with the National Cancer Institute (Inca), has been working to develop a national screening guideline. A working group has been working since 2023 in this regard.

She also highlighted the implementation of the Ministry of Health’s protocol for referral from basic care to specialized care, aiming to ensure more uniform treatment between different health units. This includes the migration of the old Diagnostic and Therapeutic Guidelines (DDTs) to a new Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guideline (PCDT). Colorectal cancer was chosen for prioritization in this process due to its complexity, with the assessment currently conducted by the National Commission for the Incorporation of Technologies into the Unified Health System (Conitec), after a period of public consultation.

These initiatives reflect a coordinated effort to improve the prevention, early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer in Brazil, aligning with international guidelines and promoting better health outcomes for the population. She later explained that in the fight against colorectal cancer, a series of challenges are faced that need to be overcome to ensure that all patients receive the necessary care in a timely manner.

Source: PharmaBr.News