Do this once in your life and you won't get cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the common malignant tumors of the digestive tract. In economically developed Western countries, one in every 25 babies born will develop colorectal cancer in the future. In my country, the incidence of colorectal cancer has been increasing year by year over the past 20 years due to factors such as changes in eating habits. About 47,500 people die from colorectal cancer every year in the country. However, China is still far behind the United States in terms of colorectal cancer treatment effects. One of the most important factors is the neglect of screening, which leads to late detection of the disease. Early screening can solve the problem to a large extent. The vast majority of tumors discovered through screening are in the early stages, and the detection and cure of a large number of benign nodules or precancerous lesions can greatly reduce the number of further cancers.

"Having a colonoscopy once in a lifetime can effectively prevent colon cancer."

Professor Xu Ruihua, deputy director of the Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center of Sun Yat-sen University, cited his own experience of cancer prevention physical examinations as an example. Colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. After the appearance of precancerous lesions, namely intestinal polyps, it usually takes five to ten years to develop into cancer. Therefore, people over 45 years old can ensure "at least five years of safety" by having a colonoscopy.

Symptoms to watch out for

If you notice changes in your bowel habits, occasional blood in your stool, and are accompanied by abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue, you should go to the hospital promptly to avoid mistaking it for diseases such as hemorrhoids, chronic dysentery, chronic enteritis, etc., which may delay diagnosis and treatment.

High-risk groups

Domestic experts recommend that citizens aged 40 and above should undergo regular colonoscopy examinations. In addition, the following people need to pay special attention: they have a history of cancer, intestinal polyps, or a first-degree relative (father, mother, siblings, children) with a history of colorectal cancer. In addition, if they have two or more of the following conditions, such as chronic diarrhea lasting more than 3 months in the past two years, chronic constipation for more than two months each year, a history of mucus and/or bloody stools, chronic appendicitis or appendectomy, chronic cholecystitis or cholecystectomy, or any event that has caused great mental trauma or pain in the past 20 years, they should go to the hospital for a full colonoscopy in time.

prevention

To prevent colon cancer, we must first start with diet, reduce the intake of "rich and greasy" foods, that is, the intake of animal fat and meat, eat more fruits and vegetables, and increase the intake of crude fiber foods, such as whole grains, cereals, black bread, vegetables, fruits, celery, soybeans, mushrooms, fungus, seaweed, carrots, apple juice, etc. 10-30 grams per day is appropriate. At the same time, you should avoid overeating, maintain a regular daily life, insist on physical exercise, get more sun exposure, quit smoking and limit alcohol.

Tips

Clinically, colorectal cancer includes two types: colon cancer and rectal cancer.