Bowel cancer stool characteristics

Bowel cancer is a topic that sounds a little scary, but knowing its symptoms can help us detect problems early. The characteristics of stool are an important sign that may appear in the early stages of bowel cancer. Generally speaking, bowel cancer patients may have some obvious changes in their stool.

Let's talk about color. Normally, stool is brown, which is the result of bile and food residues mixing together. If the stool becomes particularly dark, or even black, it can sometimes mean bleeding in the intestines. Black stool is often called "tarry stool" and is a possible sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Of course, eating certain foods or taking certain medicines can also cause stool to turn black, so when this happens, don't jump to conclusions and go to the hospital for a checkup.

Then there's shape and texture. Bowel cancer can cause narrowing of the intestines, which can affect the shape of your stool. Thin, pencil-like stools may indicate a narrowing in the intestine. In terms of texture, alternating periods of diarrhea or constipation for long periods of time can also be a warning sign. Especially when these changes persist for a while and there are no obvious changes in diet or lifestyle, they need to be taken seriously.

Blood mixed with your stool is another feature to watch out for. The blood may be bright red or dark red, depending on where the bleeding is. Bright red blood usually means the bleeding is occurring near the rectum or anus, while dark red blood may mean the bleeding is occurring higher up.

In addition to these characteristic changes in stool, colorectal cancer may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or bloating, loss of appetite, etc. If you find yourself having these symptoms, especially changes in stool characteristics, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible for examination. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase the possibility of cure.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, paying attention to diet, and having regular physical examinations are effective ways to prevent colorectal cancer. Remember, any abnormal signals from the body should not be ignored, and timely medical consultation is the best way to protect your health. I hope this information can help you better understand the early symptoms of colorectal cancer and achieve early detection and early treatment.