By Dr.Ravindra Patil
Talking about diarrhoeal disease is considered shameful. But this article describes about “is frequent diarrhoea a sign of cancer”. We hope to clarify myths and make people more aware about what is otherwise and embarrassing topic.
Another question which worries people is: “Is bowel leakage a sign of cancer?” In this context, anal leakage and bowel leakage are the same.
Cancer has many symptoms and blood in stool is one of them. Hence ‘Colon Cancer Poop” can often be bloody.
Many conditions can cause bowel leakage, and most of them are treatable, but if you experience bowel leakage that doesn’t seem to be connected to a temporary stomach illness or something you ate, you should see a doctor, as it can be a sign of cancer and other serious illnesses.
Bowel leakage, or faecal incontinence, is characterized by difficulty controlling the release of faecal matter. It is the involuntary release of solid or liquid faeces.
Faecal incontinence is not uncommon but is it likely that it is underreported. Minor illnesses, such as diarrhoea from many causes can lead to incontinence that typically resolves within a few hours to a couple of weeks. However, faecal incontinence may be cause for concern if it’s long-lasting or happens frequently.
Bowel leakage can range in severity. Some people may experience occasional leakage while passing gas, while others may lose control completely.
At Samarth Neuro & Super Speciality Hospital in Miraj, we understand that discussing bowel leakage and cancer can be uncomfortable. However, our dedicated medical teams are here to provide expert care, ensuring your well-being and peace of mind. Our experienced professionals are trained to address your concerns, provide accurate information, and offer appropriate guidance.
Numerous factors can trigger long-term bowel leakage:
While it’s not among the most common causes, research indicates there are connections between bowel leakage and certain types of cancer.
Neurogenic bowel is the loss of normal bowel function due to a nerve problem. It causes constipation and bowel accidents. Nerve damage may be due to an injury or a health condition such as multiple sclerosis. Also spine tumours and injuries may in some cases cause faecal incontinence.
Fortunately, most cases of bowel leakage aren’t caused by cancer. However, there’s evidence of relationships between the two.
Among people with bowel leakage, the risk of developing cancer was still low
Compared to those without bowel incontinence, those with the condition were more likely to be diagnosed with one of the types of cancer within one year
Patients with bowel leakage went on to develop other types of cancer, including larynx, lung, and kidney cancer
About 5% of people with colorectal cancer have gene mutations passed down through families. But most people who develop colorectal cancer will have no family history of the condition. Other factors include:
Like the associated symptoms, the risk factors for gastrointestinal cancers depend on the location. Risk factors may include:
To effectively treat your bowel leakage, you’ll need to determine the cause. If your incontinence is occasional and doesn’t last long, the solution may be as simple as avoiding certain foods. However, bowel leakage linked to an underlying illness may be more difficult to treat and will require gaining control of the underlying cause.
This sounds like you’re going back to being a toddler, but bowel training or retraining is used to treat both faecal incontinence and severe constipation. Encouraging bowel movement after meals using the gastro-colic reflex and encouraging defecating in a squatting position can be tried.
Pelvic floor exercises can be valuable if leakage is linked to muscle weakness.
For diarrhoea, doctors usually recommend loperamide, codeine sulfate, or amitriptyline. Loperamide It slows down bowel movements and improves anal sphincter tone.
For constipation, your doctor may recommend a laxative, a stool softener, or a concentrated fibre supplement such as psyllium.
Consult your doctor before taking medications to help with your bowel leakage, even over-the-counter ones. Some may worsen your symptoms, and some may mask symptoms of a serious underlying condition that demands medical attention.
Digestive troubles, including incontinence, may be caused or aggravated by your diet. A nutritionist is of help in such cases. You should keep a food diary, as disruptive foods can vary from person to person. Keep track of what you eat and how it makes you feel.
For constipation or haemorrhoids, the doctor may recommend increasing your fibre and fluid consumption. If you have diarrhoea, you should be cautious with alcohol, caffeine, dairy, spicy foods, sugar alcohols and foods with high levels of fructose.
Wear absorbent pads in the worst cases. It will drastically improve quality of life.
You should always see a doctor if you have symptoms of bowel incontinence, because in some cases, it can be a sign of something more serious, including bowel cancer. Or, it is more likely to be related to a less severe, treatable condition.
You may be hesitant to see your doctor about bowel leakage, but remember, doctors and medical professionals have heard and seen it all. Seeing a doctor is essential to rule out serious conditions that may get worse with time or lead to severe complications.
Samarth Neuro and Superspeciality Hospital has 100+ beds & specializes in emergency surgery for neurological issues/disorders & diagnostics.
Samarth Neuro and Superspeciality Hospital
