Experts investigating bowel cancer in the UK recall that colorectal cancer is one of the "mass killers" of oncological diseases. At the same time, oncologists say that the disease responds well to treatment if detected at an early stage
Doctors have reported that one of the signs of bowel cancer may be an unusual, at first glance, phenomenon.
It's about a pale face.
"Paleness may be a sign of bowel cancer due to the fact that the disease contributes to a lack of iron in the body," the scientists specify.
Oncologists explain that an unhe althy pale complexion is common with anemia. This disorder, caused by a decrease in the level of red blood cells and a lack of iron, can develop as a result of bleeding in the intestines. It is possible to visually detect traces of blood in the feces, but sometimes their presence can only be detected by an analysis for latent blood in the feces.
In turn, the pallor of the face is a sign that many are able to notice, experts emphasize.
Some people are at increased risk of developing bowel cancer.
Here are the people it is important to be vigilant, paying attention to all possible symptoms of the disease:
people over 50, has cases of bowel cancer in relatives, people diagnosed with intestinal polyps, long-term sufferers of inflammatory bowel diseases - Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, suffering from type 2 diabetes, people with unhe althy habits: abuse of tobacco and alcohol, processed meat products, inactive.
Scientists also recommend not to ignore changes in bowel function (change in the usual time of defecation, increase in constipation, change in the consistency, smell and color of feces, etc.), and in addition to them - pain in the lower abdomen, swelling or discomfort.
“The key sign is resistance, which means: if any of these changes occur and last three weeks or more, you should make an appointment with a doctor,” he alth workers say.