How often should colonoscopy check for colorectal cancer?

Dr. Zee Ying Kiat, Parkway Cancer Center, Singapore, said colonoscopy is one of the most popular screening tests for early detection. Most polyps (benign small lesions shaped like tumors) can be removed by colonoscopy without surgery.

It is best to have a regular colonoscopy every year from a young age.(Photo: News).

Dr. Zee recommends that people without high risk factors for colorectal cancer start screening at age 50 and do colonoscopy every 10 years. People in the high risk group of colon or colorectal cancer should start screening at younger ages and do colonoscopy every three years. It is best to have a regular colonoscopy every year from a young age.

Colorectal cancer is very popular in the world as well as in Vietnam. Every year our country has more than 8,000 new cases, the death rate is high at 68%, equivalent to 16 cases per day. This is the second leading cause of death in the elderly. It is estimated that by 2020, the number of new cases will increase to more than 24,000.

According to Dr. Zee, although the incidence of colorectal cancer is high, this is one of the most easily preventable and preventable cancers if detected early. Most colorectal cancer develops from adenomatous polyps, exuding at the lining of the mucosa in the large intestine. Polyps usually do not cause symptoms. The time it takes for these polyps to become malignant for 5 to 10 years, means that the precancerous period lasts long enough for patients to promptly detect polyps before they become cancer. During this stage, if the patient is undergoing colonoscopy and detects polyps, the doctor will proceed immediately without surgery.