Li Jia Hospital in Taichung, Taiwan, China, recently admitted a rare case of colorectal cancer, Next Apple News reported on 10/4. The patient, a woman in her 60s, lost 10 kg in just three months. Initially, she was happy, believing she had successfully lost weight. However, she later experienced abdominal bloating and pain, frequent bowel movements, and loose stools, prompting her to seek a colonoscopy at the hospital.

Doctor Lai Dai Phong, a specialist in hepatobiliary and gastroenterology, stated that the colonoscopy revealed a large tumor located 50 cm from the anus. This was the cause of her severe digestive disorders and significant weight loss.

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The doctor noted that despite health authorities implementing a free screening program using fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) every two years, the hospital records new cases monthly. Elderly individuals, in particular, often endure symptoms and infrequently undergo regular health check-ups, leading them to seek medical attention only after experiencing pain, thereby missing the "golden period" for treatment.

Colorectal cancer ranks second among the 10 most common types of cancer in terms of new cases, trailing only lung cancer. However, if detected early at the initial or stage one, the five-year survival rate for patients can exceed 90%.

According to Doctor Lai, high-risk groups include those who frequently consume grilled or fatty foods, have a low intake of fruits and vegetables, or have a family history of colorectal cancer. In its early stages, colorectal cancer often presents no clear symptoms. Many dismiss abdominal pain or changes in bowel habits as temporary indigestion or food poisoning, unaware these are early warning signs of cancer.

Because initial symptoms are often vague, many mistakenly attribute abdominal pain or digestive upset to mild food poisoning, failing to recognize them as cancer warning signs. Experts warn that if symptoms such as altered bowel habits, blood or mucus in stool, thin or ribbon-like stool, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, persistent abdominal bloating or pain, or unexplained weight loss lasting over two weeks occur, individuals should seek immediate medical examination for timely treatment.

Binh Minh (According to Next Apple News)