2 early warning signs of cancer in your stools that you shouldn’t ignore

The bowel is a hollow muscle tube that goes from the stomach to the anus and is vital for the break-down of food and to move undigested waste towards the rectum so that it can exit the body.

Cancer of the bowel principally refers to the cancer that begins in the large bowel. Depending upon where its origin is, it can either be called colon cancer or rectal cancer and the symptoms can show up when one goes to the toilet.

There are a number of signs that indicate the presence of colon or rectal cancer. Instead of feeling embarrassed or shy about it, one should talk openly about their symptoms so that a proper diagnosis can take place and be followed by the required treatment.

It is important to note that bowel cancer is curable, especially if detected in the early stages. The probability of curing it completely however falls as it develops and turns into a full-fledged disease.

Early detection and treatment really does save lives and here are the symptoms that you should look out for

Symptoms of an early stage colorectal cancer include sudden weight loss, narrow stools that are ribbon-like, rectal bleeding which can be dark or bright red in color and an uneasy feeling that makes one feel like they have to empty their bowel but nothing actually passes. Other symptoms of this condition include anemia, persistent abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.

Although these symptoms could be a result of other minor conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids or Crohn’s Disease, it is necessary to bring them to the concern of a medical professional if observed.

Some other symptoms include blood in the stool, a change in regular excretion timings, increased frequency of emptying the bowels or constipation. It also includes a tangible lump in the back passage or the stomach, or a feeling of needing to strain in the back passage. The symptoms can be observed in men as well as women. It is important to talk about these symptoms to your doctor.

Even though there isn’t a single cause that can be pin-pointed for causing bowel cancer, but there are multiple factors that can increase the risk of getting the fatal disease. Regular smokers are also prone to getting this condition. People who have pre-existing conditions such as extensive ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in the colon for long periods of time, ranging around ten years or more have also been found to be at a greater risk of developing bowel cancer. People who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of developing. Active and excessive red meat consumers are also susceptible. Regular bowel cancer screenings for people who have one or more of these lifestyle habits or conditions should attend screenings more often.