"I'm very afraid of endoscopy because I've heard it's painful and uncomfortable, so I've been putting it off for years. Are there any methods now that make endoscopy gentler but still ensure early cancer detection?" (KQ, 28 years old, from Dong Thap).

Dr. Tran Minh Tien, Deputy Head of the Surgery Department at Phuong Chau Sa Dec Hospital (Dong Thap province), replied: "That's a very common mindset among many people. Previously, when endoscopic techniques and equipment weren't as developed as they are now, many people experienced pain, nausea, or discomfort during gastroscopy or colonoscopy. These experiences made many people hesitant and delay screening, even if they had symptoms or belonged to a high-risk group."

However, gastrointestinal endoscopy has made significant advancements. One of the key changes is the use of sedatives during endoscopy, which helps patients relax and experience virtually no discomfort throughout the procedure. Furthermore, sedation during endoscopy is very safe and has few side effects.

Pre-anesthesia endoscopy also facilitates the doctor's performance of the procedure more conveniently and effectively. When the patient no longer exhibits gag reflexes, spasms, or movements due to discomfort, the doctor can carefully observe the entire mucosa of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or colon, minimizing the risk of missing small lesions and thus improving diagnostic value.

High-resolution endoscopy combined with artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, many medical facilities now utilize high-resolution (4K) endoscopy systems combined with artificial intelligence (AI). AI technology can assist doctors in identifying and marking suspicious mucosal areas in real time, such as polyps, precancerous lesions, or early signs of cancer. Although AI does not replace the role of doctors, it is a powerful tool that contributes to improving the accuracy of endoscopy and reducing the risk of missing lesions.

At Phuong Chau Sa Dec Hospital, gastrointestinal endoscopy also utilizes methods to minimize patient discomfort during the procedure, combining modern imaging technology and AI support for lesion identification. This is one of the factors that helps patients be more proactive when needing digestive health check-ups, especially those who have previously delayed endoscopy due to fear of pain or discomfort. However, technology only plays a supporting role; the final assessment and conclusion still need to be based on the expertise of the doctor.

Doctor's advice

I always encourage people not to let the fear of endoscopy become a barrier that prevents them from detecting diseases early. Those with symptoms such as persistent epigastric pain, difficulty swallowing, bloody stools, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or a family history of gastrointestinal cancer should proactively visit a medical facility for examination and endoscopy when necessary.

Even without symptoms, individuals aged 45 and older or those in high-risk groups should undergo screening for gastrointestinal cancer as recommended by their doctors. Early detection not only leads to more effective treatment but also reduces costs and the burden on patients and their families.