“Jedi-Jedi” or Colon cancer? Why Nigerians need to take bowel symptoms seriously

Colon cancer is more common than many realize, yet it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented if detected early.

This was the key message from medical experts and stakeholders at the launch of the Dr. Olu-Muyiwa Olugbolahan Olusanya Colon Cancer Screening Campaign (DOCAC), held in collaboration with the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.

Professor Oludolapo Afuwape, a surgeon, emphasized that colon cancer ranks among the leading cancers worldwide and affects approximately 8 to 9 out of every 100,000 Nigerians. While factors like age, inactivity, family history, and diet contribute to the risk, the biggest concern is late detection.

Many Nigerians mistakenly attribute symptoms such as blood in stool, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits to “jedi-jedi” (a local term for various digestive ailments), delaying crucial medical attention. “Haemorrhoids, which people often confuse with cancer, are easy to treat and don’t kill. But they can mimic cancer, making screening essential,” Professor Afuwape warned.

Disturbingly, colon cancer is now being diagnosed in teenagers, shattering the belief that it is solely a disease of the elderly. Dr. Kolawole Akande, a consultant gastroenterologist, stressed that screening colonoscopy—used to detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps—can reduce colon cancer occurrence by up to 60%.

“The remarkable thing about colorectal cancer is that it gives an early warning, sometimes 7 to 10 years before symptoms appear,” Dr. Akande explained. “This is an opportunity we can’t afford to ignore.”

Experts recommend routine screening from age 40, especially for individuals with personal or family histories of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or Crohn’s disease. Apart from colonoscopy, other screening methods include image-based tests and stool-based tests such as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) and guaiac-based faecal occult blood test.

The message from the campaign was clear: colon cancer is preventable, but only if caught early. Awareness and routine screening can save lives.