From vietnam.vn
Many people think diarrhoea is a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. However, it can be a warning sign of colorectal cancer
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
Nutrition expert Li Wanping (Taiwan, China ) warns that this disease is silently threatening the health of many people in their 50s. She once witnessed a friend being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer, despite previously only experiencing frequent fatigue and pale skin, which she had overlooked.
Similarly, a college friend of Dr. Li also died suddenly at the age of 50 from this disease. For many years, the patient mistakenly thought that the recurring diarrhoea was just due to work stress, and by the time he went for a check-up, it was too late.
Be wary of these three unusual signs.
According to Dr. Ly, irritable bowel syndrome is a benign condition, while colorectal cancer can be life-threatening if not detected and treated early. The expert warns that if the following conditions appear, patients should go to medical facilities for timely diagnosis and treatment.
1. Changes in bowel habits
One of the early signs of colorectal cancer is an unusual change in bowel habits. Patients may suddenly switch from constipation to diarrhoea, have frequent bowel movements (4-6 times or more), or feel an increased urge to defecate without a clear cause.
According to the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, persistent changes in bowel habits are a sign that should be evaluated to rule out colorectal cancer. When a tumour grows in the bowel, it can obstruct the passage of stool, alter the rhythm of bowel contractions, and lead to diarrhoea, constipation, or alternating both.
Importantly, these changes often last for weeks and do not improve even after the patient adjusts their diet or uses common medications for digestive disorders.
2. The shape of the stool changes.
Not only the frequency of bowel movements, but also the shape of stool can reflect the condition of the colon. If stool suddenly becomes small, flat like a pencil, or thinner than normal for an extended period, this could be a sign that a tumour is narrowing the bowel, causing stool to pass through only a small gap.
Additionally, the presence of blood in the stool is a sign that requires special attention. The blood may be bright red if it originates from the lower part of the colon or darker in colour once it has passed through the digestive tract. In many cases, the amount of blood is so small that it cannot be observed with the naked eye and can only be detected through a foecal occult blood test (FIT).
Experts emphasize that while these changes can also be caused by haemorrhoids, polyps, or irritable bowel syndrome, if they persist or occur simultaneously with other symptoms, a colonoscopy is necessary to determine the cause.
3. Anaemia of unknown origin
Not all cases of colorectal cancer cause visible bleeding. Many tumours only leak a small amount of blood, but it is continuous over a long period. The amount of blood lost each day may be so small that the patient doesn't notice it, but after weeks or months it will lead to iron deficiency and anaemia.
At that time, patients often exhibit pale skin, pale mucous membranes, persistent fatigue, reduced exercise capacity, dizziness, or light-headedness. These are sometimes the first signs that prompt patients to seek medical attention before more pronounced digestive symptoms appear.
Therefore, NICE guidelines recommend that individuals with unexplained iron-deficiency anaemia, particularly middle-aged and older adults, should be assessed for colorectal cancer risk using foecal occult blood testing (FIT) and colonoscopy when necessary.
Dietary regimens to prevent colorectal cancer
According to experts, colorectal cancer, if detected and treated early, has a very high cure rate. Everyone should proactively undergo regular screenings, such as foecal occult blood tests or colonoscopies as directed by their doctor, especially those at high risk.
Besides screening, diet plays a crucial role in preventing this disease. In his famous book *How Not to Die* , Dr. Michael Greger analysed the top 15 causes of death based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence. He pointed out that colorectal cancer is the disease most significantly affected by diet. Evidence shows that the incidence rate in communities with low meat consumption and high fibre intake is dozens of times lower than in Western countries.
Therefore, increasing the consumption of vegetables and whole grains, and reducing red and processed meats, is considered a key solution. A high-fibre diet helps increase stool volume, shorten the time waste remains in the intestines, thereby reducing the exposure of the colon lining to carcinogens, while maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
In parallel, studies have also shown an increased risk of colorectal cancer in people who smoke, drink excessive alcohol, are overweight or obese, or are sedentary. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eliminating harmful habits are crucial factors in protecting overall gut health.
https://www.vietnam.vn/en/dau-hieu-canh-bao-som-ung-thu-dai-truc-trang-de-nham-lan
No comments:
Post a Comment