Colorectal Cancer Screening is for people who do not show any symptoms of colorectal cancer (such as blood in the stool or dark-coloured stool, mucus in stool, sudden change in bowel habits etc.). It is to identify people with risk of colorectal cancer for early treatment. Participants are required to consult a Primary Care Doctor for an initial evaluation. If your medical history and physical condition are suitable for joining the programme, the medical centre will handle the enrolment procedures for you.
什麼是大腸癌？
大腸癌病徵和症狀
有研究顯示男性罹患大腸癌的人較多，男女比例大約1.5：1或1.6：1，而且50歲以後，罹患大腸癌的風險會急速上升。很多人以為大腸癌會常出現腹痛、便祕等，但最棘手的是多數的大腸癌幾乎沒有症狀，因此單單依賴狀診斷不可靠！早期的大腸癌可以沒有任何病徵，當到了腸癌的第2、3期才出現明顯症狀，加上大腸癌早期症狀容易跟其他疾病的症狀混淆，使大腸癌在早期更難發現。若發現多於一種症狀，且持續超過數週，應盡快找專科醫生檢查。
1. 排便習慣改變
排便習慣改變持續超過兩週 (例如間歇性便秘或腹瀉，糞便細如鉛筆等）
2. 血便
排出暗紅或黑色的糞便或糞便有不明黏液
3. 腹部疼痛及痙攣
造成腹部疼痛或絞痛的主要原因，是腸阻塞引起腹脹、多氣、多屁所導致，通常可以在排氣、排便後減輕腹痛症狀；但會很常發生
4. 體重突然減輕
胃口不佳、沒有食慾，接著發現體重持續減輕；可能是癌細胞急速擴展，消耗了身體能量,
CRC Screening Programme eligible persons(Updated in 2024)
篩查計劃幫助找出病患者或較高風險患病人士，以便及早進行醫治和提高治療效果。參加「大腸癌篩查計劃」之人士必須符合以下資格︰
- 年滿50歲至75歲 (即由今年2024年1月1日起，於1948至1974年出生之人士)
- 持有香港身份證或豁免登記證明書
- 已加入政府<醫健通>電子健康紀錄互通系統
Participants with the following conditions are not suitable or not necessary to enroll in the Programme:
．Record of receiving colonoscopy within the past 10 years with normal result
．Record of receiving flexible sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years with normal result
．Record of receiving FOBT within the past 2 years with normal result
．Have symptoms of colorectal cancer
．History of colon polyps
．Have two or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with colorectal cancer
．Diagnosis of hereditary bowel syndromes, or have first-degree relative diagnosed with such syndrome
．Previously been advised against receiving colonoscopy by a doctor
及早進行大腸癌篩查，可以於患者未出現大腸癌症狀前得以及時發現，盡早治療以免錯過治療良機。想知自己是否合乎資格參與篩查計劃？歡迎聯絡我們診所作初步評估和查詢。
大腸癌篩查計劃流程
Step 1: Find a primary care doctor
Step 2: Consult a primary care doctor and collect a FOBT test kit
Step 3: Collect stool specimens at home according to instructions
Step 4: Return FOBT specimens to a designated Specimen Collection Point
Step 5: Be notify with the result by primary care doctor
(Negative result) watch out for colorectal cancer symptoms and repeat FOBT every two years
(Positive result) consult with the primary care doctor for follow up and receive referral for colonoscopy
Colonoscopy examination(A colonoscopy) is a simple exam used to diagnose lesions and diseases in the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including ileum, cecum, colon, rectum and anus. It uses a 1.3cm, flexible tube with an endoscope to allow the doctor to view the inside of the entire colon. People with symptoms of colorectal cancer or who are over 50 years old without any symptoms of colorectal cancer should follow the medical advice to conduct a colonoscopy.
Causes of colorectal cancer
The exact cause of colorectal cancer is not yet identified, but certain risk factors are strongly linked to the disease according to researchers, including poor dietary habits, lifestyle and family history. They include:
．Excessive consumption of animal fats
．Excessive consumption of protein
．Insufficient intake of dietary fibre
．Obesity, lack of exercise
．Smoking, alcohol consumption
．Have blood relatives diagnosed with colorectal cancer
Colorectal Cancer Treatments
The treatment for colorectal cancer is usually a removal surgery for the cancerous tumour and the surrounding intestinal segments. The physician will adopt a suitable treatment for the patient based on the size and shape of the cancer, and its spreading. The treatment for colorectal cancer is usually a removal surgery for the cancerous tumour and the surrounding intestinal segments. The physician will adopt a suitable treatment for the patient based on the size and shape of the cancer, and its spreading.
The medical team may adopt chemotherapy (chemo) based on the patient’s condition, a treatment that dissolves powerful chemicals into the blood to kill the cancer cells and avoid cancer recurrence.
Governmental Subsidisation and Additional Fees
In order to raise the awareness towards colorectal health, The DOH has fully subsidised the eligible to consult a primary care doctor and conduct a FOBT. There is no additional charge for eligible persons. Contact us to make an appointment now.
If the FOBT result of the participants is positive, the government will offer another HKD$7,800 (without colon polyps) or HKD$8,500 (includes polyp removal surgery) to conduct a colonoscopy. Subsidisation includes the fees for the pre-screening consultation, colonoscopy (including fees for anaesthesia), and polyp removal (if any). Participants will only have to pay an additional fee of not more than HKD $1,000 after subsidisation.
Colonoscopy Result
The doctor will discuss the colonoscopy result with you. The result is regarded as normal, if there is no suspicious condition in the bowel wall; if it is abnormal, the doctor will explain the report to you and formulate an proper treatment plan for you.
FAQ for Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme (CRC)
1. 大腸癌如何分期
大腸直腸癌分成0期到4期，並以腫瘤侵犯深度（T分期）、局部淋巴轉移有無（N分期）、遠端器官轉移有無（M分期）來做期別判定。
2. 大腸癌有什麼種類？
- 腺癌：佔大腸癌的大多數，源自結腸或直腸內的腺體細胞，通常生長緩慢。
- 黏液腺癌：也是源自腺體細胞，但是細胞會分泌大量的黏液，使腫瘤的形狀變得類似一個囊袋。
- 腺鱗癌：源自腺體細胞和鱗狀上皮細胞，通常難以診斷，或更難治療。
- 腺管癌：源自大腸內的腺管，通常較容易被診斷。
- 混合型腫瘤：源自不同的細胞類型，通常難以治療，或需利用不同的療法來處理不同的細胞類型。
- 肉瘤：較為罕見的大腸癌類型，源自結腸或直腸中的結締組織或平滑肌細胞。
3. 1. Can I join the programme if I have haemorrhoids ?
You can join the programme and conduct a FOBT as long as the pile does not bleed. If it does, please seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
4. 如果我遺失或損壞了大便隱血測試採便管可以怎麼辦？
If you lose/break one of the two FOBT tubes, you should still carry out stool specimen collection for the remaining FOBT tube. You should contact your Primary Care Doctor for a replacement if you lose or break both tubes.
5. 如何提交大便測試樣本？
You will have to put the FOBT tube in a small plastic bag and seal it in the bigger bag which has the specimen form on it. You should return it to a designated specimen collection point within 4 days of its collection.
6. The result of my FOBT screening is positive, do I have colorectal cancer?
A positive FOBT result means that blood is detected in your stool. This can be due to a number of other conditions apart from colorectal cancer. You should discuss with your doctor regarding further investigations to look for the cause of the bleeding.
7. Can a colonoscopy be carried out on the same day?
The colonoscopy requires a 6-hour fasting period before the colonoscopy to make sure there is nothing in your intestines that will interrupt the exam. Therefore, an appointment for a colonoscopy has to be made at least one day before. A regular procedure will be having a consultation with your doctor first and your doctor will arrange the most suitable tests and treatments for you based on your condition.
8. Does a colonoscopy require a hospital stay?
Colonoscopy is a simple exam that only requires the patient to spend a half day in the daytime medical centre to conduct the exam.
9. 可否使用醫療券支付大腸癌篩查之額外費用？
The programme is subsidised by the Department of Health so health care vouchers cannot be used to settle the co-payment.
