![]() ![]() You should note that CEA can be elevated in some non-malignant conditions, such as liver cirrhosis or cigarette smoking. Monitoring the CEA level in the blood can help the doctor understand the patient's prognosis and response to treatment. Once a cancer diagnosis has been established, the physician may test your blood for carcinoembryonic antigen³ (CEA), a substance produced by certain types of cancer cells, including colorectal cancer. However, your doctor may test your blood for more insights about your overall health, including liver and kidney function tests. If the doctor finds any suspicious areas, they can pass surgical tools via the tube to pick tissue samples for analysis and remove polyps.Ī blood test cannot tell if you have colon cancer. ![]() The process uses a long, slender, flexible tube with a tiny video camera to check your entire colon and rectum. This involves using a tube with a camera attached to it to visualize the insides of your intestine. Your physician can advise on the appropriate options, and together you can choose the appropriate tests for you. There are several screening options, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. However, if your constipation is persistent, you should seek medical intervention. It could be due to poor nutritional habits, lack of physical activity, stress, or dehydration. Having this condition does not always mean you have colorectal cancer. However, if diarrhea persists for more than three days, your physician should investigate.Ĭonstipation is among the most common gastrointestinal complaints. Most people may get mild diarrhea a few times in a year, a condition that resolves itself in two to three days. Loose stools are a common occurrence and could be due to intolerance to medication, stress, certain foods, or an infection. Changes in bowel habitsĬhanges in bowel habits occur in most people, but a physician should evaluate some changes if they persist. You should seek urgent medical attention if you have black, tarry stools. ![]() However, you should check with your doctor if this does not apply to you.Ī black or dark maroon stool that looks tarry and smells bad may indicate that your upper digestive tract (e.g., stomach) is bleeding. Consult your doctor if you pass red stools regularly.īlack: Black stools could be due to taking over-the-counter medicines or iron supplements. It could be blood from hemorrhoids, infection, inflammation, or cancer. On the other hand, a bright red stool may mean your intestines are bleeding. However, the stool should return to normal after a day or two. ![]() Shades of red: Stools with shades of red can result from taking red-colored medicine, excess red food coloring, or eating beetroot. However, you should see a healthcare professional if the green color persists. It may mean that food is moving via your intestines too fast, and the green in the bile has no time to break down. It could be because you ate too many green vegetables or green food coloring. Green: Although it might come as a shock, green poop may not be serious. Therefore, a healthy stool should have all colors of food you eat together with bile. Bile is yellow-green and helps digest fats. The colorīrown: Diet and the amount of bile determine the color of your stool. Any time you notice a narrow or ribbon-like stool, it indicates changes in your colon. Stool appearance can be a good indicator of what is happening inside your body.Īlthough a small, hard stool could mean constipation, you should see your physician when you see any of the following changes in stool appearance: Change in shape Bleeding from the rectum is one of the symptoms of colorectal cancer. ![]()
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