Early-onset colorectal cancer, i.e. in people younger than 50, is on the rise, increasing by 1.4% each year and stymieing health professionals.
And it’s not that easy to catch early, since so many people who get it seem to be healthy.
“The most common symptom of colorectal cancer in younger patients is actually no symptom at all. That’s the scary part,” Dr. Parul Shukla, a colon and rectal surgeon with Northwell Health.
Dr. Shukla said he has recently operated on many patients in their 40s, and some of them appear to be in “good health,” including a vegan woman and a professional baseball player. Plus, the data suggests a lag time in diagnoses, meaning that by the time young people find out they have it, it’s quite advanced.
But there are signs you can watch out for and when the document is broken you shouldn’t worry and when it’s worth making an appointment.
Your bowel habits change
Occasional constipation is not a cause for concern, but if you are normally regular and then stop for weeks or months at a time that is not normal and could be a sign that cancer is blocking your bowels.
“If someone, for years, has had regular bowel movements every day, and then all of a sudden they’re struggling to have a bowel movement,” it’s worth investigating, according to Dr. Shukla.
“Initially they may blame the foods they ate or the lack of fiber. But if this is a consistent change from something you’ve had, then it shouldn’t be ignored.”
Very thin stools can also be a sign, according to some doctors, as well as severe diarrhea.
You are bleeding
Bloody in the bathroom? Don’t panic. Doctor Shukla says it is possible, you just have hemorrhoids. They may be uncomfortable, but they won’t kill you.
But if you take steps to combat hemorrhoids, eat more fiber, use a stool softener, stop straining, spend less time on the toilet, and the bleeding continues for weeks, it’s worth seeing your internist for a rectal exam.
An even surer sign that something might be up and down is that blood is mixed into your poo, not just in your TP which means it’s coming from inside you, and not just around your butt.
“The wiping blood you see on the toilet paper is likely too distal, too close to the anal area, and likely to be hemorrhoids,” explained Dr. Shukla. “But if there is blood dripping into the bowl, if you see dark blood coming out of the stool, that means blood is coming closer.”
Anemia can also be a sign that you’re losing blood in the bathroom without realizing it, so if your annual labs show you’re anemic, colorectal cancer could be the cause.
A pain in
Pain can signal more advanced cancer, according to doc.
“If someone has some kind of obstructing tumor and the colon is trying to contract and push stool out of that, it can create a kind of colic pain,” meaning it comes and goes in waves, Dr. Shukla.
Tension in the colon can also lead to extreme discomfort due to bloating and distension.
Postprandial pain can also be a clue, but only if it happens a few hours after your meal. This could mean it’s coming from your small bowl or colon, while pain that occurs within hours of eating is likely upper GI, such as heartburn, GERD, or indigestion.
When should you see a doctor?
It’s not unusual for people to push symptoms aside for weeks, months or even years, convinced that their problems are not important, and at the same time, no one wants to be thought of as a hypochondriac, bringing every last worry to a doctor. .
Dr. Shukla says that if any of these symptoms last for several weeks, it’s time to consult a doctor.
Symptoms or not, current guidelines are to start colonoscopies at age 45 and continue to have them every 10 years if the results are normal. For those with a close family history or certain bowel diseases such as Crohn’s, the recommendation is earlier.
#signs #colorectal #cancer #scary #truth
Image Source : nypost.com