Doctor: blood in the stool may indicate not only hemorrhoids but also cancer.
Colon cancer can disguise itself as hemorrhoids for a long time, said oncologist and surgeon Pavel Blednykh.
As the doctor noted, the main symptom that misleads is the appearance of blood in the stool. "People often associate the appearance of blood with hemorrhoids, especially if this problem has been long-standing and is not accompanied by discomfort. As a result, a person may engage in self-treatment for months, or even years, without suspecting the development of a cancerous tumor in the intestine," the doctor explained.
According to the oncologist, in addition to blood in the stool, symptoms such as difficulty in defecation, alternating constipation and diarrhea, a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, and unexplained fatigue may also occur with cancer.
However, the doctor stated that it is impossible to distinguish hemorrhoids from cancer without a comprehensive examination. Therefore, if blood appears in the stool, along with pain or any changes in bowel function, it is necessary to consult a specialist and undergo an examination as soon as possible.
