Health experts have issued advice on how to spot bowel cancer, with one of the major tell-tale signs being the colour of the blood in your stool – here is what you need to know
Whether you have eaten something funny or have fallen ill with a stomach bug, there are multiple reasons why your stool can be different – including bowel cancer.
Experts have stressed that one of the symptoms of bowel cancer can include a change to your normal bowel habit or blood in your stool. The condition can first appear in the large bowel ( colon cancer ) or back passage ( rectal cancer ). While it might seem difficult to tell the difference between common bowel issues to something more serious, medics have pointed out that a major sign can have to do with the colour of your stool.
According to the Cancer Research UK website, if you notice blood in your stool and it looks similar to the colour of tar, you must see a doctor urgently. It states: “Blood from higher up in the bowel doesn’t look bright red. It goes dark red or black and can make your poo look like tar. This type of bleeding can be a sign of cancer higher up the bowel. Or it could be from a bleeding stomach ulcer for example.”
Meanwhile, Dr Porter, who has a column in The Times, explained that bleeding is a common “red flag”. He said: “Common red flags include bleeding from your bottom (often not cancer but never normal) and/or an unexplained and prolonged change in bowel habit (more than a few weeks), typically to becoming looser rather than constipated.”
Porter added: “Call or email your practice, outlining your symptoms (and any relevant family history of bowel cancer), stating that you are concerned. What happens next will depend on practice policy but will often start with a stool test that you can do at home to look for, or confirm, bleeding, as well as some blood tests, all followed by an appointment with the GP to run through your symptoms and results. And this will typically include a physical examination and a finger up your backside.”
Other possible symptoms of bowel cancer
- A lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy (abdomen), more commonly on the right side
- The feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo)
- Weight loose
- Pain in your abdomen or back passage
- Tiredness or breathlessness
Symptoms of bowel obstruction
- Cramping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation
- Being sick
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
