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Bowel cancer symptoms: How your stool and its frequency tell whether you should be tested – Times of India

September 10, 2022
Bharat Times

Bowel cancer is a cancer that begins in the large intestine. It is also sometimes called colon or rectal cancer, depending on where it begins. It is a common cancer worldwide. According to Dr. Pramod Kumar Julka, Senior Director, Medical Oncology, Max Institute of Cancer Care, Lajpat Nagar, “In India, these cases are increasing rapidly and more and more young adults are suffering from bowel cancer.” Dr. Bhaskar Viswanathan, Professor and Head of Radiation Oncology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad says, “25000-30000 colorectal cancers as per national data in 2021. Colorectal cancer is more common in elderly people above 50 years of age and comprises 2 percent of cancers ” ,

bowel cancer symptoms


People who are often diagnosed with bowel cancer report complete constipation or diarrhea and blood in the stool and sometimes abdominal pain, which are some of the typical symptoms of bowel cancer, shares Dr. Pramod. Symptoms that need attention are disturbed bowel habits such as frequent bowel movements 3-4 times a day and alternating diarrhoea.

In simple words, if you have bleeding stools related to piles, recent onset of constipation, incomplete bowel evacuation and need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one, change in bowel habits, in appetite Deficiency, compaction of stool. If you have persistent and persistent pain in the abdomen, then you should contact your doctor.

If a person is suffering from constipation for a long time then stool should be tested for occult blood.

Is excessive flatulence risky?


Excessive flatulence can be caused by simple factors such as eating too many lentils and beans, vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower or drinking carbonated beverages, lactose intolerance, food intolerance and celiac disease gluten sensitivity. “It can be a sign of benign diseases such as indigestion, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome. It can also be a sign of colorectal cancer,” says Dr. Viswanathan.

Healthy exercises to keep your bowel healthy


avoiding eating junk food

eating right food at right time

eat fiber rich diet

Increase intake of fruits and vegetables

exercising regularly

keeping weight under control

Reduce intake of red meat and processed meat

Avoid smoking and alcohol

“People are eating too much junk or street food. It is becoming more common with people eating burgers etc which is not very healthy for our bowel and in worse cases, it causes bowel cancer which means a healthy lifestyle and eating home cooked properly Eat Avoid smoking and alcohol as a habit. Overall a person needs to lead a healthy lifestyle to avoid bowel cancer,” explains Dr Pramod.

Timely diagnosis is important


Everyone should be screened after age 45 for the presence of occult blood in the stool (Gueck based, fecal immunochemical test), CT colonography pelvic once in 5 years for individuals with a family history of colon cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s Case in point the disease, or cystic fibrosis, says Dr. Bhaskar.

questions to ask

  1. What is bowel cancer?
    Bowel cancer is associated with abnormal growth of cancer cells in the large intestine, sometimes called colon or rectal cancer.
  2. What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
    Symptoms of bowel cancer include frequent changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, and weakness.