Mistaking stage 4 colon cancer for hemorrhoids: Here's how to tell the difference

Joshua Sanchez, 38, living in New York, USA, started to worry when he saw blood in his stool for the first time in 2021. He thought he had hemorrhoids so he didn't go to the doctor.

After many days of bleeding that did not stop, he went to Mount Sinai Hospital (New York, USA) for examination. Here, doctors confirmed that he had stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to the liver. The patient underwent surgery to remove the tumors and continued treatment with chemotherapy and radiation.

Dr. Ryan Williams, a doctor in New Jersey (USA), warned that hemorrhoids and colon cancer (also known as rectal cancer) can cause similar symptoms, making it difficult for patients to detect early, according to the Daily Mail (UK).

The most common sign of colon cancer is seeing blood in the stool.

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Here are the early warning signs of colon cancer:

Bloody stools

The most common early warning sign of colon cancer is blood in the stool. Although hemorrhoids can also cause blood in the stool, the blood is usually bright red, while rectal cancer blood is dark red and mixed with mucus.

Change in bowel habits

A change in bowel habits can also be a warning sign of colon cancer. You may suddenly start going to the bathroom more often, or you may have persistent constipation or diarrhea. Stools may be thinner and narrower than usual.

Cold hands and feet

Due to frequent rectal bleeding, people with colon cancer often become anemic, depleting the body's blood supply. Insufficient blood flow to the legs and arms causes cold hands and feet.

Stomach-ache

The patient may also have a dull, constant pain in the abdomen. Abdominal pain is one of the most obvious signs of cancer, and should be investigated to determine the exact cause.

Weight loss

Unusual weight loss can also be a sign of cancer or some other diseases related to the digestive tract, according to Daily Mail .

To prevent colon cancer, you should follow a healthy diet and lifestyle, exercise regularly and control your weight. Most importantly, pay attention to cancer screening to detect the disease and treat it promptly even when there are no symptoms.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nham-ung-thu-ruot-giai-doan-4-la-benh-tri-day-la-cach-phan-biet-185230415153225889.htm