BOTH have painful symptoms and can be embarrassing to talk about – but the
difference between having piles or bowel cancer is serious business.
Over half of the population will suffer from piles, also known as
haemorrhoids, at some stage in lives, but doctors are worried that people
are too often dismissing rectal bleeding or blood in the stools as just a
symptom of piles – and not investigating further.
But it shouldn’t be treated lightly and the bleeding could actually signal
something more sinister – bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the world, with nearly a
whopping 1.4 million new cases diagnosed in 2012 (the most recent
statistics.)
While this form of cancer is very treatable when diagnosed in its early
stages, people need to make sure they get anything untoward checked out as
soon as possible to protect themselves.
It is advised that people check for changes, especially any that last for more
than three weeks.
Now online clinic, Health Express, has teamed up with the charity Beating
Bowel Cancer in a bid to save lives, by creating a series of infographics
comparing the symptoms, risk factors, preventative measures and treatment
options of the two conditions.
For example, they explain how the symptoms of haemorrhoids – which can cause
swollen blood vessels around the rectum can clear up in a few days.
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They recommend making simple dietary changes and not straining on the toilet
as the first call for treating piles, in addition to over-the-counter
medications which can soothe symptoms.
However, the condition does not carry the same risk to health as bowel cancer.
Bowl cancer affects slightly more men than women and the chances of getting it
increase as we get older.
However, if found early, 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated
successfully – making it really important to check anything out as soon as
possible.
Dr Hilary Jones, who works as an independent medical advisor for Health
Express, said he hoped the awareness drive would help to save lives.
He added: “Campaigns such as Bowel Cancer Awareness Month are great in helping
to raise awareness on the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, where someone
is diagnosed every 15 minutes.
“It is important to be vigilant when spotting the signs of bowel cancer. With
early detection, meaning a 90 per cent chance of survival, bowel cancer is
treatable.
“It is therefore important to know what to look out for, for the highest
chance of successful treatment.”