Bowel cancer, the name sounds scary enough, not to mention its silent invasion. You may think, there must be some signs in the body for such a serious illness, right?
It's true, but its signals are often misunderstood by us and blamed on everyday glitches. When bowel cancer sounded the alarm, many people suddenly realized that the body had already sent a distress signal.
Those "three more and two pains" are not small things, but early signs that may be related to bowel cancer. Don't wait until it's too late to regret it, let's talk about this topic below.
1. The early symptoms of bowel cancer should not be ignored
When it comes to "three more", you may think of the many requirements at work and the many troubles in life. But in the world of bowel cancer, "three more" refers to an increase in the frequency of bowel movements, an increase in the frequency of farting, and an increase in the number of blood in the stool. These symptoms may not sound like a big deal, but bowel cancer starts to invade quietly from these "inadvertent" little things.
If the number of bowel movements increases, you may wonder, is this a bad stomach? If the number of farts increases, will it be indigestion? If the number of blood in the stool increases, is it hemorrhoids? Don't jump to conclusions.
If these symptoms persist for a long time, and are accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, and the stool is abnormally shaped, it is not as simple as eating the wrong thing. They could be your gut telling you that something isn't right inside.
The "two pains" - abdominal pain and anal pain are symptoms that are difficult to ignore. Abdominal pain may make you think it's a stomach ache or a normal gastrointestinal upset, but if it's concentrated in the middle and lower abdomen and it's paroxysmal or persistent, be wary.
Anal pain directly affects the process of bowel movements, making people restless. These symptoms may be a sign that bowel cancer is sending you a message.
2. Misconceptions about bowel cancer – not just blood in the stool and abdominal pain
When it comes to bowel cancer, the first things that come to mind are blood in the stool and abdominal pain. But these two symptoms are too common in life and are often ignored or misunderstood.
Blood in the stool, you may think, this is an old problem of hemorrhoids, just buy some ointment and apply it. Abdominal pain may be thought to be eating too greasy or stomach problems. However, blood in the stool and abdominal pain caused by bowel cancer are different from these common minor symptoms.
If hematochezia is caused by bowel cancer, the blood usually mixes with the stool and is dark red, sometimes accompanied by mucus or pus. This is very different from the bright red blood caused by hemorrhoids.
If abdominal pain is caused by bowel cancer, the pain is often constant and there is a feeling of bloating because the tumor occupies space in the intestine and causes intestinal obstruction.
These symptoms of bowel cancer are often overlooked in the early stage, and by the time they are detected, they are likely to be at an advanced stage. Therefore, understanding these symptoms and recognizing their severity is essential for early detection of bowel cancer. Don't underestimate these common little symptoms, they can be your lifeline.
3. The current situation of global bowel cancer and the challenges of the mainland
Bowel cancer is a deadly tumor that is prevalent worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, the number of newly diagnosed bowel cancer cases worldwide has risen to 1.96 million.
Behind these statistics is a true portrayal of the changes and sufferings experienced by many families. Especially on the mainland, the incidence and mortality of bowel cancer are showing a worrying upward trend, accounting for nearly one-third of the world's new cases.
To make matters worse, in just ten years from 2010 to 2020, the incidence of colorectal cancer in mainland China has more than doubled, increasing by 126%.
This leapfrog growth has undoubtedly increased the medical burden of the country and families, and also reflects the urgent need for people's awareness and prevention of bowel cancer.
The prevention, control and treatment of bowel cancer is not only a challenge in the medical field, but also a social and cultural issue.
In mainland China, the prevalence rate of bowel cancer screening is much lower than that in Europe and the United States, and many people have certain misunderstandings and neglects about physical examination, which also leads to bowel cancer often being detected at an advanced stage.
In addition, due to changes in dietary habits and lifestyles, the increase in the intake of high-fat and high-calorie foods, and the lack of regular physical exercise are all potential factors leading to the increase in the incidence of bowel cancer.
4. The importance and methods of early screening
In the face of the severe situation of bowel cancer, early screening is particularly important. Early screening can not only improve the cure rate of bowel cancer, but also effectively reduce the difficulty and cost of treatment.
Routine stool checks, as the most basic and easily overlooked check-up, can actually provide first-hand information about digestive health.
The color, shape, and more of the stool can be indicative of an underlying health problem. A more professional colonoscopy can intuitively detect polyps, inflammation and even early tumors in the intestine.
For adults over the age of 35, especially those at high risk with a family history of bowel cancer, regular bowel cancer screening is essential. Stool occult blood test at least once a year, fecal DNA test every 1-3 years, and colonoscopy every 5-10 years, according to the recommendations of professional institutions.
However, in reality, many people are resistant to these tests, believing that they are not only troublesome, but also a violation of privacy. This mentality not only reduces the effectiveness of early screening of bowel cancer, but also increases the risk of missed diagnosis.
Here, as a medical expert, I must emphasize the importance of early screening, early detection, and early treatment for bowel cancer, a disease that has a long incubation period and is extremely difficult to treat once it progresses to an advanced stage.
As the general public, we should also step out of our comfort zone, actively face and accept these early screening methods, and take responsibility for the health of ourselves and our families.
5. Lifestyle adjustment for bowel cancer prevention
In addition to regular screening, it is equally important to prevent bowel cancer. Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer. In terms of diet, it is recommended to increase the intake of dietary fiber, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and reduce the intake of red meat and processed meat products. At the same time, keeping your weight within a healthy range and avoiding obesity also has a positive effect on the prevention of bowel cancer.
In addition, regular physical exercise can not only increase the body's metabolic rate, but also enhance the function of the immune system, which has a non-negligible impact on the prevention of bowel cancer.
Studies have shown that at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, can effectively reduce the risk of bowel cancer.
summary
In conclusion, bowel cancer, while dangerous, is not unpreventable. Through proper lifestyle modification and aggressive medical screening, we are fully capable of detecting and stopping the threat of bowel cancer in advance.
Everyone should be the first person responsible for their own health, not let go of any possible opportunity for early screening, and not ignore any small lifestyle changes. Only in this way can we take the initiative in the fight against bowel cancer and protect the health of ourselves and our families.