Hemorrhoids, believed to be no stranger to most people—the saying "nine out of ten people have them" reflects how common this condition is. The most frequent symptom among hemorrhoid sufferers is bloody stool, which often leads many to assume hemorrhoids first when they notice such bleeding. However, it's frequently overlooked that bloody stool could also indicate other diseases. For instance, conditions like bacillary dysentery, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, stomach cancer, intussusception, or large intestinal polyps can also cause bloody stool. Yet, simply attributing the symptom to hemorrhoids often delays diagnosis until the middle or late stages, significantly increasing treatment difficulty.

In China's colorectal cancer survey, it was found that 83% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage upon their first confirmation. Rectal bleeding, one of the early symptoms of colorectal cancer, is often mistaken for hemorrhoids. However, there are differences between hemorrhoidal bleeding and intestinal bleeding.

1. What are the differences between hemorrhoidal bleeding and intestinal bleeding?

1. Hemorrhoidal Bleeding

Hemorrhoidal bleeding, regardless of the amount, is usually bright red and does not mix well with the stool. Additionally, it is often accompanied by anal pain and itching, and sometimes a sensation of a foreign body.

2. Intestinal bleeding

Bleeding caused by intestinal diseases typically results in darker-colored stools with clotted blood, and there is often mucus mixed between the blood and stool. Additionally, changes in bowel movements may occur, such as narrower stool shape, darker color, and symptoms like tenesmus (a feeling of incomplete bowel movement with discomfort but only passing small amounts, lacking the relief of normal bowel movements).

2. How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Colorectal Cancer from Your Body?

Although early-stage colorectal cancer may not present obvious symptoms, the body may still subtly signal the presence of cancer. If you experience the following symptoms, do not simply dismiss them as hemorrhoids—take immediate action!

1. Change in Bowel Habits

If your previously regular bowel habits change, with frequent increases in bowel movements or constipation, or even alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea, you must be vigilant about the possibility of colorectal cancer.

This is often due to the tumor obstructing the intestine, causing the intestinal passage to narrow, making it difficult for stool to pass, resulting in constipation. At this stage, symptoms such as rectal heaviness and discomfort may also occur.

2. Presence of Blood in Stool

Blood in stool is the most obvious symptom of early-stage bowel cancer, with the amount of blood usually being small and appearing dark red in color. It may occur simultaneously with the stool or appear after bowel movements, often accompanied by mucus.

3. Pain, bloating, indigestion

Digestive symptoms caused by intestinal cancer typically manifest as bloating, indigestion, etc. The pain is usually located in the middle to lower abdomen, varying in severity, primarily due to intestinal obstruction. In the early stages, abdominal pain or bloating may present as intermittent discomfort, which later gradually develops into persistent pain and bloating.

4. Changes in stool shape

Intestinal cancer can also alter the shape of stools, which may become thin like a pencil, flat like a ribbon, or dark brown in color. If stools, which are usually thick, suddenly become as thin as a pencil, it could also indicate colorectal cancer. As the tumor grows, it affects stool passage, causing it to narrow. Therefore, it’s crucial to regularly check your stool after using the toilet, as this can help detect the condition early.

5. Tenesmus (urgent but ineffective bowel movements)

Bowel cancer can cause an increase in bowel movements, along with a sensation of incomplete defecation and tenesmus. The term "tenesmus" refers to the feeling of intestinal discomfort where one feels the urge to use the toilet but is unable to pass stool, accompanied by a sense of pelvic pressure.