Why can't colorectal cancer be detected during annual physical examinations? Don't underestimate the four colorectal cancer tests

The largest digestive organ in the body is the intestine, which also plays an important role in the immune system. However, the intestine is very delicate. Abuse of antibiotics, bad eating habits, and bad moods can cause irreversible damage to the intestine, and even develop into colon cancer. Many people have physical examinations every year, but they fail to detect colon cancer in time. When they are examined again, it has already reached the middle and late stages. Why is this?

I have annual physical examinations, so why haven’t I been diagnosed with colon cancer?

1. Ignore fecal occult blood test

Routine stool examination is a simple and effective method for diagnosing a variety of diseases. Changes in stool can determine whether there is bleeding and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, whether it is infected by parasites or precancerous lesions, and can also determine the nature and severity of the disease. In addition, routine stool examination can also understand the health problems of organs such as the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. Fecal occult blood is the first symptom of colorectal cancer, but it cannot be seen by the naked eye. It needs to be confirmed through routine stool examination. Early detection and early treatment have a high cure rate. Because the fecal occult blood test requires fresh stool, many people give up directly during the physical examination because they have no intention of defecation.

2. Feeling embarrassed to do a rectal examination

Most rectal cancers occur within the reach of a digital examination, so a digital rectal examination can detect early rectal cancers, as well as hemorrhoids, polyps, anal fissures, anal fistulas, prostate diseases, pelvic tumors, and other lesions. However, many people simply give up this examination because they are embarrassed or it is too troublesome.

3. Negative tumor markers are considered safe

Carcinoembryonic antigen CEA and carbohydrate antigen CA199 tumor markers are closely related to colorectal cancer. However, a negative tumor marker cannot completely rule out colorectal cancer. This is because cancer cells are difficult to detect in the early stages of development. They can only be detected in the blood when cancer cells secrete protein molecules. In addition, some types of cancer do not secrete protein molecules and are difficult to detect with tumor markers. Therefore, a negative tumor marker cannot completely rule out cancer.

4. Fear of colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the gold standard for screening colorectal cancer. However, many people refuse to have this examination due to fear, which results in failure to detect cancer in its early stages and missing the golden opportunity for treatment.

Kind tips

In daily life, you should pay more attention to your own symptoms. If your bowel habits and stool shape change, you have blood in your stool, and you have persistent abdominal pain, you should go to the hospital for a colonoscopy as soon as possible. You should usually adopt a low-fat and high-fiber diet, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Your diet should not be too refined; eat less or no high-fat foods, especially control your intake of red meat. Actively treat various intestinal diseases, such as polyps, chronic enteritis, chronic dysentery, and schistosomiasis.