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Colonoscopy Brings Peace of Mind
Colon cancer is one of the most common yet easily preventable cancers. It can be detected, and even prevented, safely and efficiently by a colonoscopy. However, many people choose to avoid the procedure out of embarrassment and fear of discomfort. As a result, the chance of early detection is lost.
To ease these worries, Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital has introduced the latest scientific and technological advances aimed at minimizing discomfort during a colonoscopy.
Cancer on the Rise
In recent years, the number of cases of colon cancer has continued to rise in countries all over the world. It is now the second most common cancer and cancer killer in Asia, including Hong Kong, just behind lung cancer. In 2005, there were nearly 4000 new cases in Hong Kong.
Statistics show that as many as 85 per cent of colon cancers develop from polyps in the bowel. Although, it is not known why polyps develop in the bowel, it is believed that an unhealthy meat-based diet, lacking in vegetables, low in fiber and high in fat, is related. A small number of cases are hereditary with the risk of developing colon cancer increasing with age.
Bowel polyps take around about ten years to evolve into cancer. This period of time is called the ˇ§golden ten yearsˇ¨ because if the bowel polyps are detected and completely removed during this time they do not become cancerous. This has led experts to recommend colorectal screening to make use of the opportunity presented by the ˇ§golden ten yearsˇ¨ and reduce the risk of this type of cancer developing.
Prevention by Screening
There were two types of colon cancer screenings: the stool occult blood test and the colonoscopy. However, fecal occult blood test only detects early stage colon cancer and not the pre-cancerous polyps. This makes a colonoscopy the most effective way of screening at present.
In this procedure, a flexible tube with a fiber optic camera at the end is passed through the anus to provide a visual diagnosis. If discovered, the polyps are removed by surgeons immediately.
Colon cancer is more common in people aged over 50. It is therefore recommended that people undergo colon-cancer screening every ten years beginning at the age 50.
Unfortunately, in Hong Kong, only a small group of people undergo the procedure on their own initiative, with about 95 per cent of colonoscopies taking places because the patients has shown some symptoms.
The most common reasons for avoiding the procedure are embarrassment, discomfort, and pain caused by the endoscope passing through the anus to colon and as a result of air being blown into the bowel to maximize visibility. The process used to take about 20 to 30 minutes and was still uncomfortable even with sedation. In addition, patients were required to drink a lot of water before the test to clear the colon of any solid matter.
Medical Advances Ease Discomfort
Aware of these discomforts and eager to make the most of the ˇ§golden ten yearsˇ¨, Tsuen Wan Adventist Hospital has sought to improve the procedure by introducing the latest technological advances.
These include Monitoring Anesthetic Care (MAC) which is given by the anesthesiologist.
Secondly, CO2 is used to inflate the bowel rather than air. This is a gas which is more readily absorbed by the body which means it is not retained in the belly to cause uncomfortable abdominal distention.
Thirdly, the bowel preparation has also been improved so it requires less fluid and so does not lead to the ˇ§full bellyˇ¨ sensation. Instead, the patient drinks just 90cc of a concentrated fluid and a few glass of water. However, this method is not suitable for the elderly, patients with heart disease, kidney disease or liver cirrhosis.
The combination of these new advances helps the patient relax, which in turn helps the surgeon complete the test in a shorter time and in doing so brings the patient peace of mind and protection from colon cancer for several years to come.
Surgical Care - Endoscopy Center
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