Early Detection and Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: Importance of Colonoscopy and Fecal Occult Blood Test

2023-08-14 06:33:30

2023-08-14 14:33:30 United News/Health Division

“Is it possible that the next test will turn negative? Is it wrong?” Dr. Liu Jianguo, director of the Department of Colorectal Surgery of Mackay Memorial Hospital and the Chairman of the Republic of China Society of Colorectal Surgery, pointed out that the National Health Department currently provides subsidies for people aged 50-74 every two years. Fecal occult blood test by quantitative immunological method once a year helps the public to detect trace bleeding reactions and adenomatous polyps in feces. But often when a fecal occult blood test comes back positive, many people want their doctor to do it again and wonder if the test might be wrong. Dr. Liu Jianguo suggested, “If it is positive, please do a colonoscopy directly, it is the safest!”

According to statistics, if early colorectal cancer is properly treated, the survival rate is as high as 90%. However, the tumor grows in different parts of the intestinal tract, and the symptoms are different. “If the anemia is not caused by hemorrhoidal bleeding or menorrhagia, various examinations cannot explain it. It is doubtful whether it is caused by continuous bleeding from the tumor in the large-caliber right cecum; if it is If the tumor grows in the left large intestine with a relatively narrow caliber, it may cause changes in bowel habits due to intestinal obstruction, as well as abdominal pain or incomplete defecation “tenesmus”. , There will also be blood in the stool. At this time, hemorrhoids or rectal cancer can be diagnosed with a proctoscope. However, fecal occult blood test is an indicator of early screening.”

47 people in Taiwan are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every day. Colorectal cancer has been the top cancer in Taiwan for 14 consecutive years. Dr. Liu Jianguo explained, “It’s like doing more smears, and the number of cervical cancer will increase, but it can be detected and treated early. If the subsidy for fecal occult blood testing can be reduced from the original subsidy for those over 50 years old to the subsidy starting at the age of 40, the overall rate of colorectal cancer in the country will drop when it reaches a certain stage. Data shows that fecal occult blood screening is performed every 2 years It can reduce the mortality rate of colorectal cancer by 35%, and if supplemented with colonoscopy, I believe it can help more people in the country.”

Dr. Liu Jianguo pointed out, “More than 80% of colorectal cancers are related to colorectal polyps. If it is a hyperplastic polyp, it will fall off naturally like cell proliferation, but if it is a glandular polyp, it will not only not fall off, but will grow bigger and bigger, and even turn from benign to Therefore, only through colonoscopy, early detection and removal of polyps can effectively reduce the risk of cancer!”

Studies have pointed out that if a first-degree relative suffers from colorectal cancer, the risk of developing colorectal cancer is 2 to 3 times higher than the average. It is necessary to undergo the first colonoscopy screening and go to the hospital for colonoscopy regularly. If a large polyp is found, it can be removed immediately. It is recommended to come back for colonoscopy follow-up next year.”

At present, in addition to an injection of anesthesia given by the health insurance for colonoscopy, if people are afraid of pain, there are currently “pain-reducing colonoscopy” that uses hazy anesthesia, which allows people to check between half-dream and half-awake, or “painless colonoscopy” that looks like they are completely asleep “, so you don’t have to worry about people screaming in pain while checking because of fear, or twisting during the process, making it difficult for doctors to check well. Although it needs to be paid at its own expense, thousands of dollars can not only reduce the risk of cancer, but also remove polyps when you wake up, in exchange for priceless health.

Dr. Liu Jianguo pointed out that the current clinical treatment technology continues to improve. While genetic testing is used to determine individualized treatment, multi-disciplinary teams work together to formulate treatment strategies. Even if colorectal cancer is diagnosed, advanced patients have the opportunity to recover. “There was an elementary school teacher in his fifties who was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer. If he had liver metastases, he couldn’t be operated on immediately, otherwise the whole liver would have to be removed… The intestinal tract was blocked by a tumor, so the “large intestine stent” was placed first. Open the stenosis of the intestinal wall to effectively clear the blockage and perform targeted therapy. Not only the liver tumor shrank enough to be surgically removed, but even after the intestinal tumor shrank, the stent fell out of the body without any space to be opened. Continued targeting for a while, supplemented by oral chemotherapy. Continued regular CT follow-up for more than five years, and returned to normal life.”

Colorectal cancer Colonoscopy Fecal occult blood test Colorectal polyps Tumor

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