Is it Possible to Eliminate Colorectal Cancer in the World? Screening Early to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

According to the statistics from Hong Kong Cancer Registry, Hospital Authority, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Hong Kong. In 2020, there were 5,087 new cases of colorectal cancer, accounting for 15.8% of all new cancer cases. Is colorectal cancer inevitable? What should we do to prevent it?

In addition to stopping bad lifestyle and eating habits, Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme can help to detect and treat this "urban killer" early. According to the American Cancer Society, basically all colorectal cancers are caused by polyps. Colorectal polyps are lesions that grow on the surface of the mucosa of the colon and rectum. If left untreated, there is a risk that the polyps will develop into malignant tumours over time. If you want to know whether you have a colorectal polyp, you should have a bowel test at the right time.

In view of this, the Government is implementing the Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme to subsidise Hong Kong residents aged 50 to 75 who are asymptomatic to receive screening services in the private sector to prevent colorectal cancer. Participants will first be tested for occult blood in the stool to detect traces of blood that are not visible to the naked eye. If so, a colonoscopy will be arranged and a possible colorectal polyp will be removed to prevent it from developing into cancer.

To join the Programme, eligible persons should fulfill the following criteria:

-Aged between 50 and 75

-Hold a Hong Kong Identity Card or Certificate of Exemption

-Registered in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHRSS) 

-Do not have symptoms of colorectal cancer, higher colorectal cancer risk, or screening/examination for colorectal cancer within a specified period

If you suspect that you have colorectal cancer, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.

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