According to the latest stats from the Bureau of Health Promotion, colorectal cancer has become the number one cause of death on this island, with an usually high percentage of its victims found in central Taiwan. Doctors warn that early signs of the disease, such as constipation, should not be taken lightly, and those with similar symptoms are advised to seek medical help as soon as possible.

Mr. Tsai is lying on the bed as he has advanced colorectal cancer and has just had a surgery to remove a 20 cm tumor from his large intestine.

For more than 10 years he suffered from constipation and did not think it was a big deal.

He went to the pharmacy to buy enemas to purge his colon and did not think it was a warning sign of colorectal cancer.

The early onset of colorectal cancer can be a sudden change in bowel habits such as constipation or diarrhea.

The Bureau of Health Promotion Statistics show that colorectal cancer is already the number one killer of people in Taiwan.

The central region has a higher proportion of risk to this cancer.

There are many causes of this cancer but doctors found that many patients treat themselves with drugs such as suppositories.

Pharmacies offer five or six brands to ensure smooth stools.

Doctors say that excessive use of these medicines can not only cause intestinal damage but also make one resistant to this medication.

If people misjudge their condition, cancer cells can multiply and it may be too late for medical treatment.