Colorectal cancer tops the list of cancers here. Why? Because symptoms show up late.
Colorectal cancer tops the list of cancers here. Why? Because symptoms show up late.
“The traditional signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include a feeling of abdominal fullness or an ‘incomplete emptying’ after bowel movements, abdominal pain or cramping, a change in bowel patterns, and of course, blood in the stools,” says Dr Steven Tucker, medical oncologist at private healthcare clinic Tucker Medical.
When you should take your sh*t seriously
•You notice blood in the toilet bowl after doing a “number two”.
•You go to the bathroom a lot more, or less, than usual.
When it has nothing to do with your sh*t
•You’re easily fatigued, unusually breathless or losing weight for no reason.
First: Get Screened
The most basic: Faecal occult blood test (FOBT), a simple and non-invasive check for blood in your stools. You poop, collect a sample in a container and get it tested.
Once in 10 years (if you are not high risk): Go for a colonoscopy, which looks at the internal lining of the colon and rectum, and if required, carry out polyp removals or biopsies at the same time. The procedure takes 15 minutes and is painless because you’ll be lightly sedated. What is more likely to cause discomfort: you emptying your bowels by drinking two litres of water laced with medication to induce diarrhoea the night before your anal probe.
Second: Lower Your Risk
Drink less alcohol – heavy drinkers are twice as likely to suffer from colorectal cancer, compared to moderate and non-drinkers.
Quit smoking – regular smokers not only face similar odds, but also have a higher chance of death from colorectal cancer, compared to non-smokers.
Eat less processed and fast food, which are high in fat – studies show that the risk of developing colorectal cancer skyrockets if you are obese.
Exercise regularly – this can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by 20 percent.
