Dmitry Penzov, an oncologist and surgeon at SM-Clinic, has warned that blood in the stool can be one of the first signs of colon cancer, urging people not to dismiss it as a symptom of hemorrhoids. He set out the warning signs in an interview with the Russian outlet Lenta.ru.
Penzov said one of the main indicators of the disease is the appearance of blood in the stool, a symptom that is often misread. According to Penzov, many people mistake it for hemorrhoids and put off seeing a doctor as a result.
He said any bloody discharge from the rectum requires diagnosis, and that even if the cause turns out not to be cancer, finding the source of the bleeding as early as possible is essential.
Changes in bowel habits
Penzov also advised paying attention to how often disruptions in bowel movements occur, whether briefly or over a longer stretch of time. He said people should be alert if frequent constipation suddenly gives way to loose stools.
According to Penzov, such symptoms can be caused by a growing tumor that gradually interferes with the passage of waste through the intestine.
Other warning signs
Penzov said that as a malignant tumor grows, it can also cause abdominal pain, bloating, excess gas and a feeling of heaviness after eating.
He named unexplained weight loss and anemia as another, less obvious, sign of bowel cancer.
Background on the warning
SM-Clinic is a private Russian medical network. Colon cancer, also known as colorectal or bowel cancer, develops in the large intestine and is among the more common cancers worldwide; catching it early through screening and prompt investigation of symptoms is widely regarded as key to improving treatment outcomes.
The warning follows earlier comments from urologist Jason Carter and colorectal surgeon Ketan Thanki, who identified a lesser-known symptom of bowel cancer. According to them, fecal incontinence is a sign of the disease that patients and doctors rarely discuss.
