Amid the concerning rise in colon cancer cases across the world, doctors are issuing urgent warnings - particularly to young people - about the most tell-tale symptoms of the disease.
The news comes after a 2019 study found that a staggering 20 per cent of colorectal cancer cases were discovered in individuals aged below 55, compared to just 11 per cent in 1995.
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The study found that younger generations don't tend to visit a GP about colon cancer symptoms until much later that older citizens. Often visiting when the cancer is tragically in its later stages, making it notoriously difficult to treat.
Medical experts all over the world are using their platform to emphasise the importance of wising up when it comes to noticing signs of cancer.
There are six tell-tale symptoms that are absolutely vital to know.
1) Rectal bleeding
If you're noticing blood when going for a No. 2 - whether that be within the toilet bowl or on the paper - this could be a sign of cancer.
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Whilst small amounts could indicate other health ailments - such as an anal fissure or haemorrhoids - noticing significant quantities of blood is the most common indicator of the colorectal cancer.
"Blood from those tumours has a shorter distance to travel," gastrointestinal oncologist Andrea Cerek MD recently told Self. "So, it comes out bright red, while blood that’s been in the digestive tract for a while can look almost black."
If you notice this symptom, book in with your GP immediately.
2) Changes in your bowel movements
Tumours growing within your colon/rectum can sometimes affect the way that stools are formed.
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This could result in frequent constipation, or diarrhoea. Some patients have also recalled never quite feeling 'empty' after going to the loo, or they notice their is a different colour or shape than usual.
According to medical oncologist Dr Michael Ceccheni, the stools of individuals suffering with colon cancer tend to be thin in shape.
"This tends to occur if tumours are present near the end of the colon or if they line the entire inside of the colon, which narrows whatever stool passes through,” he recently told the Huffington Post. "When it exists, it is highly concerning."
3) Abdominal pain or cramps
Stomach pains can be caused by all sorts of things - food poisoning, gastroenteritis, period woes, UTIs, kidney stones or simply indigestion - persistent agony in your abdominal area can also be a sign of cancer.
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"If it’s abdominal pain that’s new or different from what you’ve experienced before, that’s a reason to see your doctor," Sonia Kupfer MD - director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic at the University of Chicago Medicine, told Self recently.
4) Unexplained weight loss
Whilst shedding a few pounds is usually something that people celebrate, if you haven't made a conscious effort to watch your weight, this may be cause for concern.
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Cancer symptoms like gastrointestinal distress that can make it difficult to eat, and tumours growing in this area can also release appetite-suppressing hormones.
Doctors advise that losing 10 pounds - of five per cent - or your body weight due to unexplained reasons over a six month period should encourage you to visit your GP.
5) Anemia
Bleeding caused by tumours in the colon or rectum can lead to anaemia, which occurs when the body doesn't have enough iron to create red blood cells.
Iron also supports healthy production, immune response and cognitive function.
Symptoms of anaemia include fatigue, cold hands and feet, hair loss, brittle nails, cognitive issues like brain fog, decreased athletic performance, shortness of breath, junk food cravings, headaches, and sleep disorders.
6) Extreme fatigue
Like various other types of cancer, colorectal cancer's most common symptom is extreme fatigue.
Unlike usual tiredness, this sees individuals totally lose their energy, making daily life activities like getting out of bed or climbing down stairs extremely difficult.
Persistent and ceaseless fatigue should be checked out by a GP.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Rhianna Benson