People younger than 50 Should they have a colonoscopy? A friend in his early thirties had a colonoscopy recommended by his doctor a few years ago after he had a couple of bloody stools and two small polyps were removed, both benign. Just last year, his father was diagnosed with colon cancer and had never had a colonoscopy before. So, anyone, regardless of age, who has unusual symptoms, consult your doctor and get the necessary tests, including a cancer screening program. Also, it is important to realize that screening guidelines are developed from a population-based, macro-level perspective, taking into account economic factors and balancing healthcare investment with prevention and treatment outcomes. They are guidelines for physicians to follow, not a set of laws. Cancer screening varies from person to person and from cancer to cancer. In the United States, the incidence of colorectal cancer in young people has been on the rise for the past two or three decades. The exact cause is subject to further investigation. It may be related to both changes in dietary habits and lack of universal screening. It is reported that the average age of onset of colorectal cancer in Chinese is around 48 years old, and theoretically the screening age could be earlier than that in the United States as appropriate. We look forward to the mainland medical community’s screening guidelines, which are based on a large amount of reliable data. Should I get a colonoscopy when I’m in my 70s or 80s? The U.S. guidelines for colonoscopy recommend that those at average risk between the ages of 50 and 75 have it done every ten years. consult your doctor if you are 76 or older. After all, a colonoscopy is an invasive test, plus it may require sedation or anesthesia. Everyone has different risk factors for the disease, and older people often have other medical conditions as well. So, for this population, the doctor will evaluate the benefits and risks of colonoscopy and give recommendations based on each person’s situation. I’ve heard of instances of bowel perforation and infection and even death. What if I don’t want to do it? Statistically, the probability of a colonoscopy causing a bowel perforation is less than one in a thousand. However, for each patient there are only two outcomes, no perforation and a perforation. Like any invasive procedure, colonoscopy carries risks. So, first, find a doctor with a good reputation. Second, consult with your doctor to assess the risks. Some patients who have had laparotomy or have had abdominal infections often have varying degrees of visceral tissue adhesions, which can be severe enough to make the colonoscopy procedure difficult. Third, there is no risk in choosing other screening methods, such as fecal occult blood tests, which are done once a year. If the results are abnormal, then consider colonoscopy. It is important to emphasize that colonoscopy is only one screening tool. All screening methods have limitations and it is impossible to detect all abnormalities. As two examples, Patient A is found to have colorectal cancer in the fifth year after a colonoscopy. Patient B is found to have breast cancer six months after a breast cancer screening. Neither is due for their next screening yet. There are two possibilities; one is that the patient’s cancer occurred after the screening and that the patient’s cancer progressed faster than average. The other is that the last screening may have missed some very small lesions. So, the most fundamental prevention is not which screening, it’s in every day of your life, no matter what kind of cancer. The prevention we can do includes quitting smoking, controlling alcohol, losing weight, eating healthy, exercising moderately, and keeping a good state of mind. It’s important to say it again: the best cancer prevention is to stop smoking, control alcohol, lose weight, eat a healthy diet, exercise moderately, and stay in a good state of mind. Diet is important A healthy diet is especially important for colorectal cancer. A number of studies have shown that dietary structure largely determines a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. 1, red meat, especially processed meat products (bacon, ham, sausage, etc.) will increase the risk of colorectal cancer, these smoked and cured processed meats are usually added preservatives. 2, high-fiber foods to promote bowel movements, reduce waste and toxins on the intestinal wall cells, can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that vegetarians have a 16% lower risk of colorectal cancer than non-vegetarians. However, the diet that is most effective in preventing colorectal cancer is not a complete vegetarian diet, but a “pesco-vegetarian diet”: a vegetarian diet with seafood such as fish. A pesco-vegetarian diet, which consists of fruits, vegetables, grains and seafood, reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by about 45%. Embrace the Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet, which is the closest to the pesco-vegetarian diet, has become popular in Europe and the United States in recent years. This diet from traditional Southern Italy, Greece and other Mediterranean regions not only significantly reduces the risk of colorectal cancer, but also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and cognitive impairment. In layman’s terms, the Mediterranean diet is the optimal diet for longevity. So what are the characteristics of the Mediterranean diet? How does it work? Dietitians on the Cleveland Clinic’s cardiovascular team offer the following tips. Follow these points, without having to visit the Mediterranean, you can also enjoy healthy food. 1, every day to plant-based food Priority consumption of vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, grains and cereals, fresh seasoning crops. 2.Select fresh vegetables of all colors Process them simply to avoid loss of nutrients. Raw food, boiled, fried or barbecued for a short time can be. 3.Eat whole grains including all kinds of grains with skin. The skin of the grain is rich in dietary fiber, iron and B vitamins. 4, with a variety of beans as a main dish and soup A variety of beans are not only rich in various nutrients. And inexpensive and beautiful. 5, after dinner fresh fruit After dinner dessert can be fresh fruit instead of sweet and greasy cakes of various colors. 6, choose all kinds of nuts and seeds as snacks Nuts can provide healthy lipids, protein and dietary fiber. Because the calories are relatively high, it is recommended to consume a small amount at a time (1/4 cup at a time). In addition, with pine seeds and sesame seeds can add color to your main dish. 7, replace butter with olive oil Replace butter and all kinds of thick salad dressings with olive oil to reduce the bad fatty acid LDL. 8, eat fish twice a week Salmon, tuna, shrimp, crab, shellfish and other seafood are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. (Of course, pick fish and seafood from unpolluted waters). 9, moderate amount of eggs and dairy products Skimmed yogurt and low-fat cheese are good sources of calcium and protein. Egg yolks are not terrible and can be consumed in moderation. It is recommended that eggs do not exceed 4-7 per week. 10, eat more white meat, less red meat Eat more white meat such as poultry, less red meat (control only a few times a month) 11, grape wine is a good wine, moderate drinking to protect health Moderate refers to men no more than two cups per day (3.5 ounces a cup), women no more than a cup per day, with meals is better.