Many IBS sufferers secretly wonder if their ongoing symptoms are really just IBS – or something more sinister like colon cancer. There is no reason to be alarmed. However as awareness is power, here is what you need to know about IBS vs colon cancer:
What you should know about IBS vs colon cancer
The main symptoms can look similar to some typical IBS symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic these may include the following:
- A persistent change in your bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation)
- Persistent abdominal cramps, gas or pain
- Incomplete emptying of the bowels
- Weakness or fatigue
- Weight loss
- Rectal bleeding/ blood in stools
As you can see, the symptoms may be very similar to those experienced by some IBS sufferers, particularly those suffering from IBS-C with chronic constipation and hemorrhoids.
IBS or colon cancer: How do you know the difference?
If you are worried about your symptoms, or suspect that what looks like IBS is maybe colon or bowel cancer, you owe it to yourself to get this checked out by your doctor or GI specialist.
Don’t guess at it.
Have the colonoscopy and/or other prescribed screening methods so you know what you are dealing with. (Apparently there is now the option of a virtual colonoscopy. I’m curious how that works..!)
But it may actually be colon cancer…
The vast majority of people that get themselves examined find that they “just have IBS”.
Although it may temporarily feel better not knowing the truth, this situation can make a huge drain on your emotional and physical health.
Actually worrying that you may have something like colon cancer is not good for your health. It will take down your mood, your immunity and keep your adrenals running in fight or flight mode. In other words just worrying about it can make you sick and exhausted.
So if you are worried, do yourself a favour and go and see a specialist and get a proper diagnosis as soon as you can.
To put your mind to rest.
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