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Dr Melissa Conrad Stoppler highlighted symptoms of bowel cancer once the tumour grows and expands in size. One of the most “typical” signs can be spotted in the toilet bowl. After releasing your bowels, it would be a good decision to look before you flush. This is because Dr Stoppler warned that a “narrow or pencil-thin” poop could be a warning sign of cancer.
It’s also helpful to pay attention to the colour of the poop too, as this can be very revealing.
For example, bright red or extremely dark stools can be a sign of internal bleeding – a possible indicator of bowel cancer.
What is the bowel?
Bowel Cancer UK explain that the bowel – made up of the small intestine, colon, and rectum – is part of the digestive system.
When a cancerous tumour begins to grow in the bowel, it’s understandable how the disease can affect a person’s bowel habits.
READ MORE: Scientists find way to detect colon cancer ‘as simple as diabetes’
This could be because the person affected is beginning to feel the tumour itself.
Aside from toiletry signs of bowel cancer, the disease may also lead to unexplained weight loss, fatigue, tiredness, and a feeling of weakness.
“There are four main stages of colon cancer,” said Dr Stoppler.
- Stage 1 – cancer has spread from the large intestine into the muscular wall
- Stage 2 – cancer has spread through the wall into the adjacent organs
- Stage 3 – cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other organs
- Stage 4 – cancer has spread to other body parts, like the liver, bones or lungs.
“The term ‘Stage 0’ is sometimes used for a very early cancer that only affects the lining of the intestine,” Dr Stoppler added.
“This has been also referred to as ‘carcinoma in situ’.”
If you recognise any of the above symptoms in yourself, Dr Stoppler strongly advises to report them to your doctor.
It may not be bowel cancer, as these symptoms could also be indicative of:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Crohn’s disease.
Addressing the underlying cause behind these symptoms can mean the correct treatment can begin.
As with any type of cancer, the earlier the disease is caught, the better the possible outcomes.
“Eating a poor diet, inactivity, obesity, heavy alcohol use, tobacco use including smoking, and exposure to chemicals and toxins are all associated with greater cancer risk,” Dr Stoppler concluded.
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