At the 11th National Anorectal Association Scientific Conference in 2024, Associate Professor, Dr. Le Manh Cuong - Vice President of the Academy of Traditional Medicine of Vietnam, President of the Anorectal Association of Vietnam - said that anorectal diseases are one of the common diseases in today's life. The disease model in the field of anorectal diseases has changed. If in the past, people with hemorrhoids were usually over 40 years old, recently, the number of young patients is quite large, even at the age of 15-20.
Nowadays, diseases such as anal fissures are also common in young people aged 16 and 17, while previously this age group was very rare. This is evidence of the phenomenon of rejuvenation of anorectal patients.
Associate Professor Le Manh Cuong added that anorectal diseases are quite common and quite frequent in Vietnam, accounting for 40-55%. Up to now, scientists around the world have not yet found the main cause of the disease. However, they have found risk factors causing anorectal diseases in general and two quite common diseases, hemorrhoids and anal fissures in particular, in which stress is the main risk factor.
According to a survey by the Vietnam Colorectal Association, the rate of hemorrhoids accounts for about 35 - 60% of the population (depending on the time). Of which, young people (under 18 years old) with this disease account for 3-5% and are on the rise. What makes many parents startled is that their children's bad habits such as: hiding in the toilet to defecate while reading stories, playing video games or using the phone; spicy foods... are the cause of this sensitive disease.
Colorectal cancer accounts for 10% of cancer diseases; hemorrhoids affect nearly 50% of the population... Most anal and rectal diseases (except cancer) are usually not life-threatening, but cause pain, discomfort, and anxiety for the patient, reducing the ability to work and participate in social activities, directly affecting health as well as daily life. If not detected early, diagnosed and treated properly and promptly, the disease will become more serious and dangerous.
Notably, anorectal diseases are being effectively treated by combining modern medicine with traditional medicine, internal medicine, surgery, procedures and physical therapy for rehabilitation. Nowadays, many modern diagnostic methods are applied for early detection of anorectal diseases: endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, abdominal and pelvic MRI, anal canal pressure measurement, etc.
In the field of anorectal, Vietnam has been catching up with most of the world's latest techniques, while combining traditional and modern medicine to bring many benefits to patients.
Major General, Professor, Dr. Le Huu Song - Director of 108 Central Military Hospital - said that this conference will connect and share the latest research, results of advanced technical applications, experiences in diagnosing and treating anorectal diseases... thereby finding the most positive treatment solutions for patients.
