Among the many dreaded cancers, bowel cancer or colon cancer is a common cancer in India and across the world. But did you know that there’s actually a way you can take control of your body by knowing your risk? The method is known as BCA.
B means ‘You have bleeding from under you so always check after using the toilet’
C stands for a change in normal bowel habits that can last for more than 3-4 weeks
A stands for a feeling of severe fatigue and a lump in the abdomen with pain in the abdomen.
If these symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks, it is time for you to consult your doctor. We all know that early diagnosis can save lives, so it’s best to tell your doctor about your symptoms.
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Bowel cancer can also cause unexplained weight loss without much effort. So someone may not have changed diet or done more physical activity, but still they are losing kilos. Sometimes even bowel cancer does not allow one to feel completely relieved after emptying their bowels. They feel that their stomach is not completely empty.
While this cancer is more common in people over 50, it can also occur at a younger age.
Research is underway globally at the Institute of Cancer Research to develop a blood test that will help detect bowel cancer in its early stages, especially in people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This will reduce the need for invasive colonoscopy.
questions to ask
- What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is associated with abnormal growth of cancer cells in the large intestine, sometimes called colon or rectal cancer. - What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Symptoms of bowel cancer include frequent changes in bowel habits, bleeding from the rectum, persistent abdominal pain, and weakness. - How to diagnose bowel cancer?
The 2 tests that help in the diagnosis of bowel cancer are colonoscopy or CT colonography.