Colorectal cancer is the most common cancer in Hong Kong. It is treatable if detected early. High risk factors for the disease includes age, family history, and suffering from ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. In addition, Lack of physical activity, a diet high in fat and low in fiber, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and obesity all increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy is a common intestinal examination in Hong Kong. Colonoscopy uses a soft and flexible endoscope to diagnose lesions and diseases of the lower lumen of the digestive tract, including the terminal ileum, cecum, colon, rectum and anus. Colon endoscopy can detect lesions and cell abnormalities, and can remove polyps and perform treatment functions such as hemostasis. A colonoscopy is recommended if you have bloody stools, occult blood in the stools or black stools, mucus in the stools, changes in bowel habits (persistent constipation/diarrhea), abdominal cramps, difficulty in defecation, feeling that there is still stool after going to the toilet, or symptoms related to colorectal cancer.

The symptoms of early-stage stomach cancer are not obvious and are easily overlooked. By the time the cancer is detected, it often has reached an advanced stage and spread to other body parts, making it more difficult to treat. Age, consumption of high sodium and smoked food, lack of fruits and vegetable intake, family history of gastric cancer, past infection with helicobacter pylori, chronic stomach inflammation, pernicious anemia, smoking and stomach polyps are more prone to stomach cancer.

Gastroscopy is a common medical procedure in Hong Kong, using a flexible endoscope to diagnose lesions and diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. A gastroscopy is recommended if you have indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease, dysphagia, or symptoms or diseases related to esophageal or stomach cancer.