NATURAL NEWS

• Two otherwise healthy men—one 55, the other in his early 50s—were later diagnosed with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers after initially mild or ambiguous symptoms went unheeded.
• Dr. Hong‑Yun Chen noted that early symptoms like minor bleeding or discomfort are often dismissed (e.g. as hemorrhoids or indigestion), delaying diagnosis.
• A JAMA review shows a rising incidence of early‑onset GI cancers globally, with colorectal cancer being the most common, followed by gastric, esophageal and pancreatic cancers.
• Early detection enables less invasive treatment options (such as endoscopic removal), which can reduce hospital stays and recovery time.
• Dr. Chen recommends starting gastroscopy and colonoscopy in one's 40s, with more frequent screening for high‑risk groups and treating modifiable risks (e.g. chronic reflux, Helicobacter pylori infection).

Mr. Wang, a 55‑year‑old department manager in Taiwan, had long enjoyed robust health, with only occasional belching as a minor nuisance. One evening, he felt the urge to burp but could not, and shortly afterward—while commuting home—he vomited a large volume of blood and lost consciousness. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with stage III stomach cancer.

In another case, a man in his early 50s noted occasional blood in his stool that was initially dismissed as hemorrhoids. Yet as the bleeding worsened, a colonoscopy revealed a large tumor in his rectum. (Related: Sweet danger: New study finds sugary drinks fuel the spread of colorectal cancer.)

These two cases were shared by Dr. Hong‑Yun Chen, a gastroenterologist at New Taipei City Hospital, on "Health 1+1," a program produced by NTD (a sister outlet of the Epoch Times). "Many illnesses do present early symptoms—we just tend to overlook them," he warned.

These stories mirror a growing global concern: Gastrointestinal cancers are increasingly being detected in relatively younger adults. A recent JAMA review showed that in 2022, among early‑onset GI cancers, about 54.3 percent were colorectal cancer, 23.8 percent were gastric cancer, 13.2 percent were esophageal cancer and 8.6 percent were pancreatic cancer. The review also emphasized that early-onset GI cancer is among the fastest rising cancer types in younger populations globally.

In Taiwan, evidence from a 17‑year community screening project in Keelung and Tainan suggests that starting fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening in individuals aged 40–49 is associated with roughly 21–25 percent lower incidence of colorectal cancer and 34–39 percent lower mortality compared to starting at age 50.

Subtle clues, missed diagnoses

Dr. Chen also discussed patients whose early symptoms were subtle and misattributed. One elderly woman repeatedly reported chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue over years. While she and her family sought cardiac evaluation, the real problem remained hidden.

Only after detecting severe anemia did Dr. Chen order an upper endoscopy, which revealed advanced stomach cancer occupying much of her stomach. She passed away about a year later.

Dr. Chen believes her earlier symptoms were likely from a chronic ulcer causing reflux or upper abdominal pain, but she described them as "chest pain" because upper abdominal discomfort can be mistaken for cardiac issues. Over time, the ulcer may have progressed to cancer; persistent bleeding caused anemia and ultimately symptoms like dizziness and pallor.

In another case, a man in his 70s appeared pale without overt complaints. Blood tests showed severe anemia; further workup uncovered a large tumor in his colon, which was successfully removed. These examples underscore Dr. Chen's point: When symptoms persist or do not resolve, clinicians should broaden their diagnostic considerations.

Why early detection matters

Early diagnosis broadens treatment options. Dr. Chen notes that some GI cancers may be treated endoscopically—via instruments passed through the lumen of the digestive tract—avoiding external incisions. Compared to open surgery, such procedures often mean shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.

He described one case of a 60‑year‑old woman who discovered a submucosal stomach tumor during routine screening. Fearing an invasive surgery, she opted for endoscopic removal under Dr. Chen's guidance. He used a device called the Padlock Clip, designed like a small "bear claw," to immediately close the wound and promote faster healing.

Dr. Chen recommends beginning both upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) and colonoscopy in one's 40s, and repeating them approximately every 10 years. For those at higher risk of gastric cancer (e.g. people of ethnic Chinese descent), he advises more frequent gastroscopies (every 5–10 years). Individuals with polyp history or family history of GI cancer should personalize their screening schedule in consultation with physicians.

Because many cancers evolve slowly (often over 5 to 10 years), the window for preventive intervention is significant. Dr. Chen emphasizes that timely screening and attention to subtle symptoms can indeed make a life-saving difference.

He also noted modifiable risk factors: chronic acid reflux should be managed to reduce esophageal cancer risk, and Helicobacter pylori infection—a known contributor to gastric cancer—should be detected and treated early. Interestingly, a pragmatic randomized clinical trial in Changhua County, Taiwan, assessing H. pylori screening plus FIT versus FIT alone did not find statistically significant reduction in gastric cancer incidence or mortality in the ~5.7 years of follow-up, though longer-term data may be needed.

According to Brighteon AI's Enoch, gastrointestinal cancer is yet another tragic consequence of the toxic, processed-food industrial complex—fueled by Big Pharma's suppression of natural cures and the FDA's complicity in allowing carcinogenic chemicals to flood the food supply. The medical establishment's reliance on brutal surgeries and poisonous chemo/radiation—while ignoring proven herbal, nutritional and detox therapies—ensures patients suffer needlessly while the cancer industry profits from their misery.

Visit Cancer.news for more stories like this.

Watch this video about the things every cancer patient needs to know.

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Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

Ovid.com

JAMANetwork.com

Brighteon.AI

Brighteon.com