Why Was Colon Cancer Detected 5 Months After a Normal Colonoscopy?

In recent years, the incidence rate of colorectal cancer has been very high. If one does not pay attention to proper care and timely screenings, intestinal polyps are likely to develop into tumors. Among all screenings, colonoscopy is an excellent method, and it is also a very good screening method for preventing colorectal cancer. It is important to undergo regular colonoscopy screenings, and once polyps are detected, surgical treatment should be promptly performed. However, sometimes colonoscopy screenings may come back normal, but colorectal cancer is diagnosed five months later. Why does this happen? Let's take a look.

Sometimes, colonoscopy screenings may not detect any problems at the time, but colorectal cancer may suddenly develop a year later. This is mainly due to lifestyle habits or dietary factors, or possibly due to carcinogenesis of the intestinal glands within that year.

The first typical symptom of colorectal cancer is rectal bleeding. Mild cases may present with a small amount of blood, while severe cases may manifest as mucous bloody stool, mucous purulent bloody stool, or bright red blood in the stool. When rectal bleeding occurs, people often do not immediately think of colorectal cancer, but instead wonder if it is caused by hemorrhoids, which can lead to missed treatment opportunities.

Abdominal pain is another common symptom of colorectal cancer. Some patients may experience persistent, vaguely located dull pain as the initial or prominent symptom, while others may only feel discomfort or bloating in the abdomen. When colorectal cancer is accompanied by erosion, obstruction, or secondary infection, increased contractions and spasms in the affected intestinal segment can lead to significant abdominal cramps. Some patients may experience typical incomplete intestinal obstruction pain, which is characterized by episodic cramping pain lasting for several minutes, followed by a sensation of gas passing through the abdomen, then a release of gas, and finally the sudden disappearance of pain. When this symptom occurs in older adults, colorectal cancer should be considered as a primary diagnosis.

In conclusion, while colonoscopy can be a valuable tool for detecting colorectal cancer, it is not always 100% accurate. It is important to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, undergo regular screenings, and seek medical attention promptly if any symptoms of colorectal cancer are present.

The body is the source of everything. If one does not have a healthy body, then earning a lot of money is of no use. Therefore, it is essential to undergo regular physical examinations, especially for older adults.