At a health seminar, a gentleman in his seventies shared his story: he thought that frequent abdominal pain and constipation were just minor problems in the elderly, until a chance colonoscopy revealed that he was facing a battle with bowel cancer. Fortunately, thanks to early detection and proper treatment, he managed to overcome the disease and recover
health. This story not only moved everyone present, but also sounded a wake-up call: colonoscopy, which we often overlook, is actually of immeasurable value.
The importance of colonoscopy: prevention is better than cure
In today's era, with the change of lifestyle, the incidence of bowel cancer is increasing year by year, and it has become one of the main reasons for threatening the health of middle-aged and elderly people. The importance of colonoscopy, as an efficient diagnostic tool, cannot be overlooked. Colonoscopy provides a visual view of the inside of the intestine and early detection of intestinal problems such as polyps, inflammation or early cancer.
Warnings revealed by statistics
Studies have shown that the 5-year survival rate of patients with bowel cancer detected by colonoscopy in the early stage can reach more than 90%, while the 5-year survival rate of patients detected in the late stage may be less than 30%. This difference highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Colonoscopy is not only life-saving, but also prevents cancer from developing by removing early polyps.
Popular science of colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is an examination method that directly observes the intestinal wall and its internal structure by entering the inside of the intestine through a colonoscope. During the examination, the doctor can identify problems in real time, such as removing polyps if necessary, collecting tissue for pathological analysis, and providing accurate diagnosis for the patient.
Symptoms of colonoscopy need to be taken seriously: signals that should not be ignored
Many people choose to ignore the warning signs from their bodies because they are afraid of the discomfort of a colonoscopy or the fear of disease. However, there are some symptoms, if present, which should be performed immediately to rule out or treat intestinal diseases promptly.
Obvious symptom alerts
Long-term constipation or diarrhea: Long-term malfunction of the intestines, which may be a sign of changes in the internal structure.
Blood in the stool: Even mild blood in the stool should not be overlooked, and it can be an early sign of inflammation, polyps, or bowel cancer.
Abnormal weight loss: Rapid weight loss for no apparent reason may reflect a serious problem inside the body.
Persistent abdominal pain: Seek medical attention as soon as possible, especially if abdominal pain is accompanied by other gastrointestinal symptoms.
In-Depth: Why These Symptoms Can't Be Ignored
These symptoms may be an early manifestation of intestinal disease. Constipation or diarrhea may indicate a blockage in the intestine that is preventing normal bowel movements. Blood in the stool is often caused by inflammation or lesions in the intestines. Abnormal weight loss may be a sign that the body is trying to tell us that intestinal absorption is being affected, or that it is a sign of a more serious illness. Persistent abdominal pain is another warning sign from the body that we may have a health problem that requires medical intervention.