Forum focuses on growing threat of colorectal cancer

The incidence of colorectal cancer in the city has increased 400 percent since the 1970s, rising from No. 6 to the second-most prevalent form of cancer, according to medical experts.

The experts, speaking at an international forum on the disease in Shanghai over the weekend, pointed to the growing elderly population, changing diets and unhealthy lifestyle choices such as smoking and lack of exercise, for the rise in colorectal cancer cases.

Early detection and rapid treatment to keep it from spreading to the liver are the top priorities for medical experts trying to improve the likelihood of patients surviving.

"About 25 percent of patients are found to have the cancer affecting their liver on their first outpatient visit, and 25 percent of patients see it spreading to their liver after surgery," said Dr Xu Jianmin from Zhongshan Hospital, which announced the establishment of the city's first colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment center over the weekend.

To improve treatment, local doctors are adopting robot surgery, 3D minimally invasive surgery and unconventional new treatments to keep it spreading to the liver.

"Different departments are involved in the colorectal cancer treatment center to offer the best solution to different patients," Xu said.

"We are able to reduce the chance of after-surgery liver problems from 25 percent to 17 percent, and improve the five-year survival rate among colorectal cancer patients who have had it spread to their liver from 19 percent to 31 percent."