What are the symptoms of rectal cancer? Please pay attention to early screening for colorectal cancer

Author: Li Shiwen and Lu Chunhui

Unit: Qinzhou Second People's Hospital

Mr. Wang's stool shape has been a little strange recently, and he always feels that it is not completely discharged. He began to worry, but he didn't care too much. After all, his life has always been very regular, his diet is light, and he doesn't have any bad habits, so he thinks it may just be that he has been under a lot of pressure recently and has some stomach discomfort. However, as time went on, Mr. Wang's discomfort did not disappear. He began to have abdominal pain, and sometimes even blood in his stool. He began to realize the seriousness of the problem, so he decided to go to the hospital for an examination. The doctor performed a colonoscopy on him and found that he had a tumor in his rectum, which is a malignant tumor, which is what we often call rectal cancer. So friends, we must pay attention to subtle changes in the body, and some minor symptoms may be signals sent to us by the body. Today I will give you a detailed introduction to the symptoms and early screening of rectal cancer. Let's take a look!

What are the symptoms of rectal cancer?

(1) Changes in bowel habits

Changes in bowel habits are one of the common symptoms of rectal cancer. People with rectal cancer may experience some of the following changes in bowel habits: 1. Frequent diarrhea or constipation: Rectal cancer may affect the normal functioning of the intestines, leading to diarrhea or constipation. This may be due to the intestinal tract being blocked by the tumor, causing increased pressure in the intestine and triggering diarrhea. On the contrary, if the tumor affects the normal expansion of the intestine, it may cause constipation. 2. Increased bowel movement frequency: If rectal cancer affects the normal functioning of the intestines, it may lead to an increase in the number of bowel movements. 3. Feeling of incomplete bowel movements: Patients may feel the urge to defecate after a bowel movement.

(2) Blood in the stool during defecation

Blood in the stool during bowel movements is another common symptom of rectal cancer. This blood in the stool may appear bright red, dark red, or jam-like, and may sometimes be mixed with the stool. This is because the rectum is the very end of the intestine, and when the rectum becomes cancerous, the tumor may damage the blood vessels, causing bleeding. It is worth noting that blood in the stool does not necessarily mean rectal cancer. Diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and intestinal inflammation may also cause blood in the stool. Therefore, if you or someone you know has blood in the stool during bowel movements, you should seek medical help as soon as possible for further examination and diagnosis to determine the cause of the blood in the stool and take appropriate treatment measures.

(3) Abdominal pain worsens during defecation

Abdominal pain that gets worse with bowel movements is another possible symptom of rectal cancer. When cancer develops in the rectum, the tumor may block the intestine, causing abdominal pain or cramping. This pain may get worse with bowel movements or last even after a bowel movement. This is because the intestine needs to expand during bowel movements, but this is blocked by the tumor, which may cause pain.

What are the early screening methods for colorectal cancer?

(1) Fecal occult blood test

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a commonly used early screening method for detecting trace amounts of blood in the stool. It helps detect intestinal diseases such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, and colon polyps. There are many methods for fecal occult blood test, the most commonly used are chemical method and immunological method. 1. Chemical method: This is a method based on the reaction between iron ions and hemoglobin. During the experiment, a culture medium containing ascorbic acid or an oxidant is mixed with the stool sample of the subject. If there is blood in the stool, ascorbic acid or an oxidant will oxidize the iron ions to trivalent iron, forming a brown-yellow ferrous oxide precipitate. The color change produced by this reaction can be detected by colorimetry, thereby evaluating the intestinal condition of the subject. 2. Immunological method: This is a method based on the reaction between hemoglobin in the stool and specific antibodies. During the experiment, a culture medium containing ascorbic acid or an oxidant is mixed with the stool sample of the subject. If there is blood in the stool, ascorbic acid or an oxidant will oxidize hemoglobin to denatured hemoglobin, forming a brown-yellow denatured hemoglobin precipitate. The color changes produced by this reaction can be detected through immunochromatography technology, thereby assessing the intestinal condition of the subject.

(2) Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a common endoscopic examination method used to examine the colon and rectum. It is entered through the anus, along the intestinal cavity of the colon and rectum, and observes the entire inner wall of the large intestine in order to detect intestinal diseases such as polyps and tumors. Colonoscopy is the standard method for diagnosing colorectal cancer so far.

(3) Blood tumor marker test

Blood tumor marker tests play an auxiliary diagnosis and monitoring role in the early screening of colorectal cancer. Although they cannot directly diagnose colorectal cancer, if abnormal increases are found, they may indicate the presence of intestinal diseases, especially those related to colorectal cancer.

(4) CT colonography

In the early screening of colorectal cancer, CT colonography is a commonly used imaging examination method. It uses computed tomography (CT) technology to inject contrast agents into the patient's body so that the structure and lesions inside the intestine can be observed under X-ray irradiation. CT colonography helps to detect polyps, tumors, inflammation and other lesions in the intestine, providing valuable information for the early screening of colorectal cancer. In summary, early screening for colorectal cancer can be carried out through a variety of methods, including colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test, and blood tumor marker test. These methods complement each other and help us find potential problems in the intestine. Remember to screen regularly, such as once a year, so that possible intestinal diseases can be detected and treated in time. In daily life, it is also very important to maintain good living habits and a balanced diet, and avoid excessive drinking and smoking, to prevent colorectal cancer. Let us work together to maintain intestinal health!