Cancer is often silent in its early stages, making it challenging to identify without noticing subtle changes in the body. One area many people overlook is their bathroom routine. Alterations in bowel or urinary habits can sometimes signal something more serious, including cancer.
If you come across any of these eight unusual signs while using the bathroom, it’s best not to dismiss them. Early detection can make all the difference.
1. Blood in Stool or Urine
Seeing blood in your stool or urine is a serious warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored. It could point to colorectal, kidney, or bladder cancer.
What to Look Out For:
- Bright red or dark, tar-like stools, which may mean internal bleeding.
- Urine that appears pink, red, or brown without any clear reason.
- Blood that appears occasionally but doesn’t stop coming back.
Why It’s Important:
Even if it happens just once, blood in stool or urine warrants medical attention right away.
2. Ongoing Diarrhea or Constipation
Long-lasting changes in your bowel habits can be an early symptom of colorectal cancer.
What to Look Out For:
- Diarrhea that persists and isn’t linked to diet or infection.
- Chronic constipation or trouble passing stool.
- The feeling that your bowel movement wasn’t complete.
Why It’s Important:
Cancer in the colon can interfere with normal digestion and lead to irregular bathroom patterns.
3. Sudden Weight Loss Without Trying
Unexpected weight loss can be a sign of several digestive-related cancers.
What to Look Out For:
- Shedding more than 10 pounds without changing your eating or exercise habits.
- Feeling full quickly or losing your appetite.
- Noticeable drop in energy or muscle mass.
Why It’s Important:
Cancer can cause increased metabolism, leading to unexplained weight loss and weakness.
4. Stomach Pain and Bloating
Persistent bloating or stomach pain may be linked to cancers of the stomach, pancreas, or ovaries.
What to Look Out For:
- Bloating that doesn’t go away or keeps returning.
- Cramps or abdominal discomfort without an obvious cause.
- Pain that becomes worse after meals.
Why It’s Important:
If the discomfort continues for several weeks, don’t delay seeking medical help.
