Intestinal constipation, flattened stools and headaches serve as warnings; Colonoscopic examination is important for early diagnosis
Singer Preta Gil, who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, in an interview this week on TV Globo’s Mais Você program, told presenter Ana Maria Braga about the symptoms that made her suspect that there was something wrong was in his health.
Among these were severe constipation — she reported going 10 days without having a bowel movement — and flattened stools with mucus and blood.
According to Virgílio Souza, an oncologist specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers at the ACCamargo Cancer Center, in São Paulo, these are indeed among the most important signs of bowel cancer.
As for the shape of the stools, the specialist explains that the tumor can compress their exit, causing the flattening noted by the singer. Another possibility is that thinning occurs. That is, any changes in this aspect deserve special attention.
“I always recommend: look at the stool”, summarizes the doctor.
According to him, in addition to this format problem, it is essential to check that there is no mucus and/or signs of bleeding, even during cleaning. “Sometimes, the patient has had hemorrhoids before and overlooks the bleeding. This can’t happen,” advises Souza.
Changes in evacuation pattern also call for caution. For example: even if a person is constipated, he shouldn’t ignore more intense constipation. The same goes for the presence of diarrhea.
other symptoms
The oncologist also mentions a feeling of incomplete bowel movements or bloating, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss.
During the interview, Preta Gil commented that she suffered from high blood pressure and headaches. But, according to Souza, these problems could be related to the symptoms of the disease and not to the tumor itself.
A headache can arise due to possible anemia caused by bleeding, for example. Pressure peaks, on the other hand, can be related to the anxiety generated by abdominal pain.
early diagnosis
Keeping an eye out for changes associated with bowel habits or stool pattern is essential to detecting cancer as early as possible.
If the individual does not have any symptoms, it is still essential to be screened for the disease. This should take place from the age of 45, with the support of the colonoscopy exam.
“Through it, we’ve been able to identify pre-malignant lesions, polyps, that can turn into cancer. Or diagnose a tumor itself,” he says.
If there is a family history of this type of cancer, then the right thing to do is to start this screening before the age of 45.
The specialist points out that, when the disease is caught early, the chance of recovery reaches 90%.
Prevention
Bowel cancer is closely associated with lifestyle. To give you an idea, 80 to 90% of cases are based on everyday behavior.
In this sense, Souza mentions the particular relevance of food. According to him, it is above all necessary to avoid the exaggerated consumption of meat, ultra-processed products, smoked and canned foods, as well as ingredients with a low fiber content. The ideal is to give priority to fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, etc.
“Avoid a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking and alcohol intake,” he adds.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
