Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer worldwide, the second leading cause of death in the West and, since 2014, it has displaced gastric cancer in Costa Rica.
According to gastroenterologist William Piedra, it is estimated that more than 700 new cases are reported per year. Since 2015, it is the second leading cause of cancer related death among women and the third leading cause among men.
The steady increase of the cases is causing Costa Rica to face a “new epidemic” that mainly affects the population over 45 years old.
This is one of the topics on discussion within the National Medical Congress that is being held this week.