The symptoms of intestinal cancer can help us identify the disease early, increasing the chances of a cure: a warning sign that should not be underestimated is the shape of the stool which, when thinner than normal, can be an alarm signal.
The first symptoms of colon cancer, according to experts / Photo credit: Pixabay
THE symptoms of tumors, when recognized in time, can help us identify the disease early, increasing the chances of a cure. In fact, there are some warning signs which, if identified quickly, can make a big difference, because the chances of treating a tumor are greater when the disease is less advanced. This also applies to intestinal tumors and, in particular, for those of the colorectum, whose number of cases is increasing even among young people.
In many cases, these symptoms are fortunately due to less serious and more widespread pathologies, but sometimes they can be the first signs of intestinal tumors: some signs, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or blood in the stool are clearly more evident, while others are often confused with conditions such as constipation, colitis or hemorrhoids. Precisely because they are similar to those of many other intestinal diseases, they are among the most difficult to recognize. One of those not to be underestimated is the shape of the stool which, when thinner than normal, can be a warning sign.
What are the first symptoms of colon cancer
Some symptoms, at least four, can allow you to recognize colon cancer much earlier than happens in most cases: abdominal pain, diarrhea, iron deficiency anemia and blood in the stool, as indicated in one of the largest studies on the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) in young people under 50 years of age. But there is another sign that should not be underestimated, much less evident and often overlooked, which tends to occur if the tumor is located near the end of the colon or if it covers the entire inside of the colon, and which concerns the shape of the stool.
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Compared to healthy stools, which should be sausage-shaped, I made them thinner, the diameter of a pencilcan be a symptom of colon cancer: when thin stools are not occasional, like any other obvious alteration in intestinal habits, they can be an alarm bell, as indicated by Dr. Michael Cecchini of Yale University in New Haven (United States United).
“Stool that is much thinner, or has the thickness and size of a pencil, is an indication of colorectal cancer – stated Checchini atHuffPost – . When this occurs, it is very concerningalthough it is not simply one of the most common symptoms of the disease”.
As mentioned, the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer are the presence of blood in the stool, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, while iron deficiency anemia can be a consequence of bleeding. Based on research data, having one, two, or up to three of these symptoms is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, with the odds of being diagnosed increased by 1.9, 3.6, and 6, respectively. 5 times.
“In approximately 19.3% of patients – researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis specified in the study published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute – the first sign or symptom occurred between 3 months and 2 years before diagnosis, and in approximately 49.3% within 3 months of diagnosis”.
According to experts, too unintentional weight loss (weight loss that is not due to diet or physical activity), can be a sign of intestinal cancer.
More generally, any suspicious symptoms, especially if related to changes in bowel habitssuch as the need to have a bowel movement more or less frequently than normal or the feeling of having to go back to the bathroom even if you have just been there, or changes in the consistency of the stool (softer, diarrhea or constipation), is a potential red flag. alarm: in the presence of any evident alteration in intestinal habits, occurring for three or more weeksyou should consult your doctor and, if necessary, undergo a colonoscopy or other stool screening.
