The death of country music legend Dolly Parton at the age of 80 has brought renewed attention to cancer and the signs people should be aware of. Parton died on Tuesday, August 25, after a brief battle with cancer, according to her publicist, with her death announced by her grieving family.
While some cancers cause obvious symptoms, others may initially be much harder to spot. Some are so silent and hidden that they may not be noticed until it is too late.
Bowel changes as a warning sign
HCG Oncology, a cancer care network based in India, has highlighted that changes in bowel habits are among the warning signs associated with colorectal cancer, which affects the colon and rectum. It explains that this specific cancer is particularly serious because it may not cause symptoms during its early stages, making it much harder to detect.
The NHS warns that a change in normal bowel habits should not be ignored. It lists softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is unusual for you, as well as needing to use the toilet more or less often, as a symptom of bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer does not mean every change is cancer, however. Cancer Research UK says changes such as looser poo, constipation or going to the toilet more frequently can have other causes, but advises people to speak to their doctor about symptoms that are unusual for them.
Other symptoms and when to act
There are other warning signs worth knowing about too, including blood in your poo or bleeding from the back passage. The NHS also lists tummy pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss and feeling unusually tired or short of breath among possible symptoms.
How long a change continues can also matter. The NHS advises speaking to a GP if bowel cancer symptoms have been present for three weeks or more, while urgent medical help is recommended for black or dark-red poo or bloody diarrhoea.
HCG Oncology adds: "Colorectal cancer symptoms are often persistent and do not go away with medication. If you have been experiencing these symptoms for more than two weeks, you must consult a GI specialist for a proper evaluation."
Getting checked and reducing risk
Doctors may ask about symptoms and medical history before deciding whether further investigation is needed. Cancer Research UK says this can include a stool test known as a FIT, which looks for tiny traces of blood, as well as blood tests or referral for further examinations where appropriate.
The charity stresses that most people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer. However, getting unusual changes checked can help ensure that any serious condition is identified as early as possible.
Meanwhile, though the exact form of cancer Dolly Parton battled with remains undisclosed, warnings are being issued to ensure everyone knows all the signs they need to keep an eye out for. After all, it could be life-saving.
To reduce your colorectal cancer risk, you should consider healthy dietary habits, an active lifestyle, healthy weight management, being aware of your family history, refraining from tobacco and alcohol consumption, and regular health checkups.
