Bowel cancer symptoms: Do you feel groggy? It may be a sign of the deadly disease
Feeling tired now and again can be indicative that you’ve not had a good sleep, or you’ve had a bit too much on your plate. However, it could be a symptom of bowel cancer.
If you go through your day feeling tired, for no apparent reason, it could be cancer.
This is because bowel cancer can lead to a lack of iron in the body, stated the charity Bowel Cancer UK.
A lack of iron in the body can result in anaemia, which is the lack of red blood cells.
If you’re suffering from anaemia, then you’re likely to feel tired and you may look pale.
The University of Rochester Medical Center explained that red blood cells carry oxygen around the body.
Made in the bone marrow, red blood cells are also responsible for removing carbon dioxide.
However, if there aren’t enough healthy red blood cells being created, then less oxygen is transported to tissues and cells.
When there are less red blood cells available to meet the body’s needs because of cancer, this is known as normocytic anemia.
Bowel cancer can lead to internal bleeding, hence the lack of red blood cells.
You’ll notice if you’ve been bleeding from your backside if there’s any blood in your stools (confirmed by the NHS).
Even though bleeding from your bottom can be attributed to a few things, aside from cancer, it’s best to tell your GP.
It could be from haemorrhoids, an intestinal issue or bowel cancer, so it’s vital to get it checked out.
The NHS continued to state that it’s highly likely a person with bowel cancer will experience a persistent change in bowel habit.
This could mean you are “pooing more often, with looser, runnier poos and sometimes tummy pain”.
If you do have tummy pain, it could be described as “discomfort” or “bloating” brought on by eating.
Macmillan Cancer Support added other signs you may have the potentially deadly disease.
The charity confirmed that “feeling that you have not emptied your bowel properly after you poo” could be a warning sign.
In addition, a person may feel dizzy or breathless, as well as the symptoms outlined above.
Macmillan noted that any change in bowel habits would need to last three weeks or longer to be considered a problem.
In order for a diagnosis to be made, the first step is to book an appointment with your GP.
Whether over the phone or in the clinic, you’ll be able to discuss your symptoms and your concerns.
From this, your GP may arrange for some tests and scans to check for bowel cancer.
Should bowel cancer be discovered, your journey for treatment will begin alongside medical care.
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