Warning Signs Of Bowel Cancer

Did you know that 9 out of 10 cases of bowel cancer can be successfully treated if caught early enough? For early diagnosis to happen, you must be aware that any persistent changes to your daily routine could be an issue.

Make sure you are checked out immediately at the first sign of dark blood in your stool. Don't self diagnose yourself if you see blood and decide it's something you ate. You could be drastically hurting your chances of beating bowel cancer!

So what are these warning signs?

Straining to poop

While the occasional constipation is normal, ongoing persistent constipation is not. Tumors can block the bowel, leaving you feeling  intense pains in the abdomen, bloated and constipated.

Straining to poop but nothing comes out

Believe it or not, sometimes the feeling of needing to go when you don't actually have to can be a very early sign of bowel cancer.

Loose and/or more frequent stools

It's not uncommon to have the occasional bout of loose stools or diarrhea.  It's also not uncommon to have frequent bathroom runs if you ate something bad or are stressed for some reason. It is uncommon, however;  to have loose stools or diarrhea that lasts more then 4 to 6 weeks. This should be checked out sooner than later.

Bowel movements with blood

Most of the time if you notice bright red blood in your stool there is nothing to worry about as its usually from a hemorrhoid. If you notice blood that looks very dark it might be an ulcer or it could be a sign of cancer. Often bowel cancer will reside higher in the bowel causing your stool to appear black as tar.

If you notice any of the above signs paired with any of the below symptoms make an urgent trip to the doctor!

Symptoms of Bowel Cancer

1.        Unexplained weight loss
2.        Loss of breath
3.        Dizziness
4.        Unusually tired and fatigued
5.        Abdominal/Back pain, which may come and go with the urge to use the bathroom