Colon cancer on the rise

Incidents of colorectal cancer in China are growing at 4.2 percent each year, significantly higher than the international level of 2 percent, experts say.

Colorectal cancer starts in either the colon or the rectum with typical symptoms including rectal bleeding and anemia. Most colorectal cancer occurs due to unhealthy lifestyle and increasing age.

Worldwide, the most vulnerable age for infection is 60 to 70 years, while in China, it is 50 to 60 years. Experts say regular body checkups are encouraged for those age 40 and above, especially those with colonic polyps, ulcerative colitis or a family history of colorectal cancer.

The five-year survival rate of patients who were diagnosed and treated early can be up to 90 percent, Qin Xinyu, a doctor from Zhongshan Hospital, says at an international symposium of colorectal cancer in Shanghai.

Some 25 percent of colorectal cancer patients were found to have liver metastasis, he says.

The Shanghai government has intensified its efforts to conduct full body checkups and disease prevention work. It has also invested a large fund to implement early screening of colorectal cancer.

China Daily-Reuters