How to identify the early "disguise" of colorectal cancer

With the improvement of living standards, the extension of human life expectancy, and the increasing number of elderly patients, the incidence and mortality of colon cancer have a gradual upward trend in my country and even in the world, and its ranking among malignant tumors has gradually moved up. Colorectal cancer is very common in economically developed regions and countries. For example, the incidence of colorectal cancer in Shanghai, my country has increased year by year, and its incidence ranks third among male malignant tumors, only lower than lung cancer and gastric cancer; it ranks second among females, only lower than breast cancer. Colorectal cancer is often asymptomatic in the early stages, and it can be said that colorectal cancer is very good at "disguise." Possible clinical manifestations include blood in the stool, such as blood in the stool, dripping blood after defecation, etc., increased frequency of bowel movements, and tenesmus.

Therefore, how to identify the early warning symptoms of colorectal cancer is a common concern.

First of all, we must understand the high-risk groups that are prone to colorectal cancer. The high-risk groups for colorectal cancer refer to those who have risk factors that induce colorectal cancer in their bodies and are prone to colorectal cancer. The high-risk groups for colorectal cancer are: ① those with intestinal symptoms; ② middle-aged and elderly people (over 40 years old) in areas with high incidence of colorectal cancer (my country's canine cities and southeastern coastal areas); ③ those with colorectal adenomas; ④ patients after colorectal cancer surgery; ⑤ family members of colorectal cancer patients; ⑥ patients with familial colorectal adenomatosis; ⑦ patients with ulcerative colitis. The above high-risk groups should be monitored regularly.

Secondly, we need to understand the early symptoms of colorectal cancer. The main symptoms are: changes in bowel habits and blood in the stool. Most of them are manifested by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, unformed or loose stools, and mild abdominal pain before defecation; blood in the stool is an important symptom, manifested as bright red or dark red stools, often accompanied by mucus. Abdominal pain is also an early symptom, the pain is mostly in the middle and lower abdomen, the degree is not severe, and it is often ignored as dull pain. As for abdominal distension, abdominal mass, anemia and intestinal obstruction, they are late symptoms of colorectal cancer.

In short, anyone who has the above conditions should be vigilant and not take chances. They should go to the hospital as soon as possible for further examination, such as digital rectal examination, fecal occult blood test, and colonoscopy, to make a clear diagnosis and rule out colorectal cancer.