Doctor discloses 5 'silent' signs of bowel cancer amid rising cases in young individuals

The survival rate for colorectal cancer falls to 10 percent once it spreads

A doctor has cautioned adults globally about five signs that could indicate bowel cancer.

As per the Glasgow Colorectal Centre, bowel cancer ranks as the fourth most common cancer in the UK, and its incidence is rising among the younger population.

Nonetheless, there are symptoms that many might not associate with the disease, yet they are frequently linked to it.

Dr. Jack Ogden, a GP at The Lagom Clinic in Bristol, UK, informed the Daily Mail that these five ‘subtle’ symptoms are ‘often overlooked’ by individuals, leading to potential delays in diagnosis.

In the case of bowel cancer, once it has metastasized, the survival rate plummets to just 10 percent.

Therefore, early detection is crucial for effective treatment. Dr. Ogden noted that these signs do not cause pain but are equally dangerous.

The incidence of bowel cancer is increasing among young people

“Being aware of these silent indicators can save lives. Noticing subtle changes and taking quick action is the best defense against colon cancer,” he stated.

The initial sign is iron deficiency anemia, which manifests as 'unexplained fatigue, pale skin, or shortness of breath'.

Anemia is quite common and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, heart palpitations, and dizziness.

However, with bowel cancer, it might be due to a tumor bleeding, leading to blood loss, inflammation, and improper iron absorption.

Another sign is constipation, diarrhea, or narrow stools.

People's bowel movements vary based on their diet and health, but these symptoms could indicate cancer.

Narrow stools occur when a tumor obstructs the colon.

The third sign is unintentional and seemingly unexplained weight loss.

Weight loss can occur if a person loses their appetite or if tumors prevent nutrient absorption.

Some signs are ignored

The fourth indicator is bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Whether it involves 'persistent cramping' or feeling full quickly after meals, it could be a potential cancer warning sign.

The fifth indicator is possibly the most concerning - blood in the stool.

Old blood may appear black, or it might only be detectable through a stool test.

Black or dark red blood can indicate bleeding occurring higher up in the digestive tract, unlike fresh blood, which might result from hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.

For Devon from Seattle, Washington, she sensed something was amiss well before her diagnosis.

In an interview with The Patient Story on YouTube, she shared: “I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom, and the more that progressed, the less I was actually going.”

Devon was ultimately diagnosed with stage 4 cancer after discovering a tumor in her rectum.

Once she began experiencing ‘narrow stools’, she was convinced she had cancer.

Unfortunately, even after being cured, it returned, and now she lives her life one day at a time.