Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is very dangerous if the initial symptoms are not detected early.
While there are a few signs of the disease to look out for, a new study has found that there are four main symptoms that point to a higher risk of early bowel cancer.
Researchers at the Washington University College of Medicine in St. Louis believe these markers could help in the early detection and early diagnosis of colorectal cancer in young adults.
As part of the study, which was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the team analyzed data from more than 5,000 patients with early bowel cancer, which is classified as cancer that occurs before the age of 50.
They determined that somewhere between three months and two years before diagnosis, patients were likely to have four symptoms:
– Stomach ache.
Rectal bleeding.
– Diarrhea.
– Anemia due to iron deficiency.
It was found that the presence of only one of the symptoms doubles the risk of developing bowel cancer.
The presence of two symptoms increases the risk by more than 3.5 times; The presence of three or more increases the risk by more than 6.5 times.
Lead researcher Yin Kao explained: “We want young people to be aware of these potentially very obvious signs and symptoms and act accordingly, especially as people younger than 50 are considered at low risk and do not get routine screening for colorectal cancer.” “There is also a need to disseminate information to primary care physicians, gastroenterologists and emergency physicians. Today, many early forms of colorectal cancer are detected in emergency departments, and there are often significant delays in the diagnosis of this cancer.”
Two symptoms in particular — rectal bleeding and iron-deficiency anemia, a condition in which there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen — point to the need for timely endoscopy and follow-up, Cao said.
The NHS lists the main symptoms of bowel cancer as follows:
Changes in your stool, such as softer stools, diarrhea, or constipation, which are unusual for you.
The need to have a bowel movement more or less than you normally would.
Blood in the stool, which may look red or black.
Blood from your ass.
You often feel the urge to have a bowel movement, even if you just went to the toilet.
Abdominal pain.
– bloating
Lose weight without effort.
Feeling very tired for no reason.
If you have any symptoms of bowel cancer, you should contact your general practitioner.
Source: Express
