At present, the incidence rate of colorectal cancer in our country is getting higher and higher. Middle-aged people over 50 years old are especially high.
Colorectal cancer usually has no obvious symptoms in the early stage. When many patients are diagnosed, they are already in the middle and advanced stage, and the best time for treatment has been missed.
Colonoscopy is very important for timely detection of colorectal cancer.
Therefore, doctors suggest that colonoscopy should be conducted for both high-risk groups and general risk groups of colorectal cancer.
Who belong to the high-risk group and the general high-risk group?
High-risk groups:
1. Age: 50 ~ 75 years old;
2. Family history: First-degree relatives (parents, brothers and sisters, children) suffer from colorectal cancer;
3. Those with intestinal symptoms (hematochezia, abdominal pain, changes in stool habits, etc.);
4. Precancerous lesions (colorectal adenoma);
5. Those who have suffered from intestinal cancer before;
6. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis;
7. Patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease;
8. Patients who have received radiotherapy in pelvic cavity;
9. Those who have received ureterosigmoid colon anastomosis;
10. Obesity, smoking, diabetes, immune deficiency, etc.
It is suggested that colonoscopy should be carried out in time. If there is no abnormality, colonoscopy should be examined every 3 ~ 5 years. If any abnormality is found, see a doctor in time.
General risk population:
Over 50 years old, but without intestinal symptoms, family history of intestinal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, adenomatous polyp, intestinal cancer history, etc.
Colonoscopy is recommended. If there is no abnormality, colonoscopy should be examined every 10 years. If any abnormality is found, see a doctor in time.
Why can colonoscopy find cancer?
Ideally, colonoscopy can see the mucosal surface of the whole large intestine. If abnormalities are found during the examination, the tissues of the abnormal parts can be directly taken for pathological examination to judge whether canceration exists.
Most intestinal cancers develop from the initial adenoma, which may take years or even longer.
If the adenoma of the patient can be found through colonoscopy and endoscopic resection can be carried out when there is no canceration or early canceration, the occurrence of colorectal cancer can be effectively prevented.
Is colonoscopy painful?
The answer to this question varies from person to person, and everyone may feel the same thing differently. However, with the development of medical technology, the discomfort of colonoscopy has been greatly reduced.
During the examination, there may be varying degrees of distending pain or pulling feeling, but as long as you can relax and actively cooperate according to the doctor’s instructions, the vast majority of people can accept this discomfort and complete the examination.
If you are very sensitive to pain and cannot tolerate it, you can also choose to undergo painless colonoscopy under anesthesia.
Preparation before colonoscopy
The quality of the preparation before colonoscopy has a great influence on the accuracy of the examination.
Before conducting the inspection, there are the following precautions:
1. Check to eat liquid food with less residue the day before;
2. Take laxatives on the night before the examination or 6-8 hours before the examination. After several diarrhea, there is no food residue until the water sample is pulled.
3. If constipation occurs at ordinary times and laxatives are not discharged cleanly, it is better to start eating food with less residue 3 days before the examination.
4. Drink water before non-anesthetic colonoscopy, but it is better not to eat liquid or residue food again.
Should we pay attention to what after the examination?
Some people have abdominal pain, abdominal distension and other feelings after the examination. They do not need to be too nervous. They can gently rub their abdomen and walk slightly. After anal exhaust (i.e. Farting), they can be relieved.
After the examination, it is safer to rest for half an hour before leaving the hospital.
Patients undergoing biopsy or polypectomy may have a small amount of blood in their stool after operation. This kind of situation generally does not require special treatment.
If there is more bleeding or persistent abdominal pain, it is suggested to go to the hospital for further treatment.
As long as early detection, early treatment, cancer is not so terrible. Colonoscopy is early detection, early treatment of colorectal cancer one of the most important means. I hope that friends with risk factors can do an colonoscopy as soon as possible for their own health.