Doctors Say 'Embarrassing' Symptom Could Be A Warning Sign Of Colorectal Cancer

It can indicate a more advanced stage of the disease or can be a sign of a different medical condition.

On Assignment For HuffPost

The statistics for colon cancer and rectal cancer – often combined and referred to as colorectal cancer – are both scary and important to know.

For example, colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Additionally, colorectal cancer rates in young people are rising, nearly doubling since 1995.

We also need to be especially conscientious because many signs of colorectal cancer – such as constipation, diarrhea and fatigue – are easily dismissed. You might assume they’re just another case of irritable bowel syndrome, a food sensitivity or an undercooked meal.

All of this emphasises the importance of knowing what symptoms can indicate colorectal cancer and identifying them ASAP. As a colorectal cancer doctor will tell you, prevention and early intervention are key. That can entail learning your family history, getting regular screenings and paying attention to symptoms.

On that note, there’s a certain symptom doctors want to make sure you’re aware of: bowel incontinence.

While it might feel embarrassing to talk about, we need to. Ahead, doctors explain the concerning sign, other common signs of colorectal cancer, and what prevention and treatment look like. After all, the more information you have, the better prepared you are.

Bowel incontinence as a sign of colorectal cancer

For what it’s worth, this sign isn’t super common – and that can be a good thing and a bad thing.

“Bowel leakage, also called faecal incontinence, is not something most patients with colorectal cancer experience, but it can occur,........

© HuffPost