In the US, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men about 1 in 23 men and in women about 1 in 25, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined.
The ACS estimates that it will cause about 52,980 deaths during 2021, so knowing symptoms is really important.
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And according to Professor Gordon Wishart of Check4Cancer has shared two most common symptoms of cancer in the bowel to look out for.
As stated by the ACS, bowel cancer may not show symptoms right away, but if it does, it may cause one or more of these symptoms:
- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one
- Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
- Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
- Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
- Weakness and fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
And the two most common changes in bowel habits, according to the professor, are: “Passage of more frequent, looser stools or development of constipation and blood in the stools.”
Professor Wishart further added that: “The blood can be fresh (red) and sometimes mixed with mucus or alternatively it can make the faeces black and tar-like.”
Blood in stools is really alarming situation, but sometimes it may due to a number of benign conditions including haemorrhoids (piles) and inflammatory bowel disease.
“But if you notice any of these symptoms you should get them checked by your GP,” recommended Professor Wishart.
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Not all symptoms of bowel cancer are linked to the bowel, according to Professor Wishart.
He said: “More general symptoms include abdominal swelling or pain, unexplained weight loss, anaemia or extreme tiredness.”
If you have any of the symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more you should see your doctor.