Constipation is a serious problem as it can lead to cancer; Know what to do

Health has started getting affected a lot due to changing lifestyles and many other reasons. Especially these days digestive problems have become very common, due to which people are often troubled. Constipation is one of these problems, from which every second person is suffering nowadays. This problem increases more during the winter and most people ignore it considering it that its a common problem. However, do you know that constipation can also be a cause of cancer.

In fact, in some situations, chronic constipation can be a sign or symptom of those fatal diseases. Some of the cancers caused by constipation include colon cancer, rectal cancer, ovarian cancer, and brain tumor. It is very important to not take constipation lightly but to detect any serious disease at the right time and get the right treatment. Let us know from Dr. Vividha Dubey, Consultant, Oncology, ACRO, Max Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Mumbai, how constipation can become the cause of cancer-

Constipation itself doesn't cause cancer, but it can sometimes be a warning sign of other health problems, which include some kinds of cancer. Most of the time, constipation is the result of lifestyle factors in diet, stress, and dehydration, whereas some forms of cancer may directly influence the digestive system and others cause constipation to develop by affecting surrounding organs. Sometimes, chronic or unexplained constipation may be indicative of a more serious disease such as colorectal or ovarian cancer.

According to a study by the National Institute of Health, people suffering from constipation are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, especially cancer of the colon and pancreas. In such a situation, it is very important to keep an eye on some symptoms. If you notice other symptoms like blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, or stomach discomfort along with constipation, do not ignore it at all and contact the doctor immediately.

An early investigation is necessary to find whether your constipation is normal or cancer. If you have been suffering for a long time with constipation, and you do not know the exact reason behind it then you should get it diagnosed immediately. If it is the case of cancer, timely detection can help a lot in treatment. Consult the doctor if the problem of constipation persists for more than 3 days or if the problem gets bad with time. More so, if there is a history in the family of colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, or pancreatic cancer, one should never take it lightly at all. Through colonoscopy, imaging tests, or the blood test, the doctor can diagnose these serious diseases.