Taiwanese badminton star Chou Tien Chen was reported to be diagnosed with early stage colorectal cancer, with the discovery thanks to the medical checkups in preparation for Paris 2024. He was subsequently treated via surgery to remove cancerous cells from his colon, and also had a part of his large intestine removed to prevent the spread of the cancer. He was reported back to training mere days after surgery. What can we learn about colorectal cancer screening from his example?
The Facts Surrounding Chou Tien Chen’s Early Stage Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis
Before diving into the learning points, it is first important to understand what the facts surrounding his diagnosis are (as indicated in the news report):
- Chou Tien Chen underwent a “full physical exam” (news report did not specify what it included).
- He is a fit athlete aged only 34 years old.
- However, he had a high risk for getting colorectal cancer as he has a family history of the disease.
- Doctors who initially assessed that he had a high risk for the cancer suggested that he wait for a year to get assessed again.
- He sought a second opinion from another hospital and the cancer was confirmed.
- The cancer was, thankfully, at an early stage.
- He underwent surgical treatment for the cancer (no mention of other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy), and could resume badminton training within days.
In addition, it should be noted that:
- Early stage colorectal cancer (and may other cancers) often has no symptoms.
- In Singapore, according to National Cancer Registry, colorectal cancer is second most common cancer for men for women (2017 to 2021), with 6,697 new cases diagnosed for men and 5,542 new cases for women. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Singapore.
- Colonoscopy is the current “gold standard” for colorectal cancer detection.
- Colonoscopy is typically seen as a disease affecting older people more. In Singapore, the government recommended age for colonoscopy screening is 50 years old, for people with average risk profiles. People with elevated risks should consult their doctor or gastroenterologist and consider a colonoscopy screening before the age of 50.
What Are The Important Lessons That We Can Learn About Colorectal Cancer Screening From Chou Tien Chen’s Experience?
The silver lining in the cloud for Chou Tien Chen was that his cancer was discovered early, when it was the easiest to treat. From his experience, the following are the key takeaways that we can learn from and put into action to protect our health:
- While age and overall health are risk factors for colorectal cancer, even young, the cancer can nonetheless strike individuals who are young and fit.
- With early stage detection, treatment for cancer can be less intense, have fewer side effects, and less costly. Patients’ treatment outcomes can be better, compared to later stage diagnosis.
- It is important to know the risk factors for cancer. Family history is a common risk factor across different cancers.
- People with risk factors should get screened regularly. “Regular” medical checkups may not detect the cancer. Cancer screenings may include endoscopies such as gastroscopy (for stomach cancer) and colonoscopy (for colorectal cancer), blood tests, tumour marker tests, and other specialised tests.
- Getting a second opinion can give you an important, potentially life-saving, additional perspective on your cancer diagnosis or treatment. Professional doctors should not get “offended” at their patients for seeking a second opinion. They may even recommend other trustworthy doctors for you to consult.
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.