09:00 PM
Wednesday 09 February 2022
Written by – Hind Khalifa
Cancer poses risks to human life, especially in the absence of treatment, and the deadly disease is associated with many signs, especially as it takes many forms, all of which are caused by the rapid spread of infected cells.
There is a wide range of symptoms associated with the disease, but not all warning signs are clearly defined, and in general symptoms are concentrated in the diseased organs. When cancer affects the intestines, most people can expect two changes when going to the toilet, according to express.
Cancer of the colon and rectum is most common, but unfortunately, neither of them produces obvious symptoms in the initial stages. However, early detection of the disease is critical to receiving treatment.
This is because the disease often spreads to other parts of the body, making it difficult to contain. Cancer Research UK explains that advanced bowel cancer is cancer that started in either the back passage (rectum) or the large intestine (colon) and has spread to another part of the body.
Symptoms depend on the part of the body that the cancer has spread to. Common symptoms associated with bowel cancer include fatigue, loss of appetite, and low energy levels.
Bowel cancer symptoms
According to the NHS, more than 90 per cent of people with bowel cancer have one of the following groups of symptoms that affect their intestines:
Those affected may experience a persistent change in bowel habit, often with loose, runny stools and sometimes abdominal pain.
They notice blood in the stool without other symptoms of hemorrhoids – this makes it less likely that the cause is hemorrhoids.
Occasionally symptoms may include a lump that a doctor can feel in the back passage or stomach, which is more common on the right side, according to Cancer Research UK.
Cancer prevention
Mortality from bowel cancer has decreased significantly over the past decade, and awareness of early warning signs has proven to be very beneficial. Screening, early detection and better treatment have greatly boosted survival rates as well.
Researchers continue to stress the importance of prevention, however, this can be done in several ways, including the following:
Staying slim and active is essential because obesity increases the risk of dying from cancer by 1.5 times.
You should also avoid certain foods, such as processed and smoked meals, because they contain chemicals called nitrosamines.
Some research suggests that taking a daily low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of bowel cancer following five years, but the potential risks of this may outweigh the benefits, so always consult a health practitioner first.