Piles and Cancer

Not all piles can be a symptom of cancer. What is more commonly asked is if bleeding associated with piles can be a sign of colorectal cancer or bowel cancer. Cancer in the bowel is a rare possibility though it cannot be ruled out. But how to differentiate a piles from a bowel cancer?

 

As a general rule, piles or hemorroids cause painless bleeding unless it is not complicated. Cancer in the bowel on the other hand cause continuous pain and it is aggravated during defecation. As a general phenomena, piles manifests at an early age. So in cases of piles, instances of bleeding in the anal region will not be new when the patient is in their forties. Hence if a patient is bleeding for the first time in their forties, it is recommended to check with a doctor immediately. When the bleeding is due to piles only, the blood usually comes as drops and also as streak on the fecus. In such case the blood is usually red in color. However if the bleeding is actually happening much inside which is generally associated with a bowel cancer, the blood is mixed with the stool and does not appear as a streak on it. The color of the stool is blackish red and can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Also one needs to look for any weight loss, any family history of cancer, etc, to suspect if the bleeding is not due to piles. Anyways, it is always better that the doctor examines your colorectal region and ascertains the actual condition. This is needed to rule out cancer and to remain in the safer side. So if you have bleeding from the anal region, do not ignore.

 

 

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