Early symptoms and screening for colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Fortunately, early detection rates for colorectal cancer have improved significantly in many countries, especially with regular screening. Regular screening not only detects cancer early, but also effectively prevents the onset of colorectal cancer.
Early symptoms of colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer often does not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages, so many patients are not diagnosed until the late stages. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
Blood in the stool: Blood in the stool, which may be bright red or dark red.
Persistent abdominal pain or discomfort: Persistent abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, or intestinal discomfort may be a sign of colorectal cancer.
Changes in bowel habits: Constipation or diarrhea that persists for a period of time, or a significant change in the frequency and pattern of bowel movements.
Weight loss and fatigue: Persistent weight loss and fatigue can sometimes be symptoms of colorectal cancer.
These symptoms are usually non-specific, so many patients may mistake them for other more common gastrointestinal problems. Early screening can help detect and diagnose the disease in a timely manner, thereby increasing the chances of cure.
Screening methods for colorectal cancer
Early screening is an effective way to prevent colorectal cancer. Common screening methods include:
Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is considered the most reliable screening method. It can directly observe the internal conditions of the colon and rectum and find polyps, inflammation or tumors. Everyone over the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy every 10 years.
Fecal occult blood test: Screens for colorectal cancer by detecting hidden blood in the stool. This method is convenient and non-invasive, but not as sensitive as colonoscopy.
CT colonography: This non-invasive examination method can obtain images of the intestines through CT scans to help find potential lesions.
Regular screening can detect cancer in its early stages, especially colon polyps. These polyps can be removed before they become cancerous, thus effectively preventing the occurrence of cancer.
Treatments for colorectal cancer
Surgical resection: If the cancer is limited to a part of the colon or rectum, surgical removal of the tumor is the most common treatment. Surgery is usually effective in curing early colorectal cancer.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: For advanced colorectal cancer, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can help control the spread of cancer and relieve patients' symptoms.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy: Modern medicine has also developed targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which inhibit tumor growth by targeting specific targets of cancer cells. Immunotherapy helps patients fight cancer by activating the body's immune system.
Lifestyle adjustments
Increasing dietary fiber intake, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Reduce the intake of red meat and processed meat.
Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce the probability of cancer
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