Colon cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death among Americans under the age of 50, and gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha says a significant part of the problem is in the bathroom, and specifically people not paying attention to what they see there.
“The big problem is that we catch them too late,” Pasricha told Business Insider. “The stage at which you notice these early cases is everything.”
Unlike other cancers, colon cancer is quite unusual in terms of the lack of symptoms presented by the body before reaching a point where treatment becomes more difficult.
This makes changes in toileting behavior, such as unexplained diarrhea, constipation, urgency and more frequent toilet visits, some of the early warning signs.
According to Pasricha, an author who has written a book called You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong, which explains how the digestive system is a reflection of your health, the first thing you need to do is identify your own normal.
‘The only way you know what’s normal is to look. You have to look every day,” she said. Changes that last more than a few weeks warrant a conversation with your doctor, even if they are not severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Of all the other changes, there are two that should be addressed immediately by doctors. First, the formation of ribbon-like stools is something that persists over a long period of time.
This can be caused by a large tumor pressing against the colon, causing the stool to form differently as it leaves the body.
The second most pressing problem is rectal bleeding in any form. “Bleeding in any form is one big literal red flag,” Pasricha said. “I want to hear when you have blood a day or two after you see it, maybe even the same day.”
Bleeding can also be caused by hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease, but it is essential to rule out cancer early.
There are two symptoms that patients often ignore when thinking about colorectal cancer, including nonspecific lower abdominal pain and unexplained fatigue. As Pasricha explains, the pain shouldn’t have been there before; it’s usually mild and persistent, “and it doesn’t stop you from doing your job, but it’s also uncomfortable.”
