Doctor says certain type of poo is a 'highly concerning' red flag for cancer
Bowel cancer has reportedly been on the rise since the 1990s - particularly in young people.
As such, medics across the world are issuing a warning about a certain shape of stool which can indicate the presence of the disease within the body, claiming that the crucial symptom is often dismissed until it is too late.
The New York Post previously reported that global cases of colorectal/bowel cancer in those aged between 20 and 30 have been leaving doctors alarmed in recent years.
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A staggering 20 per cent of 2019 cases recorded in the States were among those in individuals younger than 55 - which is up 11 per cent when compared with 1995.
And in the UK, it has recently become one of the most common variations of the disease.
Several reasons for this have been suggested by front-runners in cancer research - including the global obesity pandemic, which links high body fat to cancer risks, and the fact young people are less likely to follow up any symptoms with their GP.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
A change to your bowel movements, or finding traces of blood in your stools are often the most common signs of cancer in this area of the body.
The NHS adds, however, that unusual diarrhoea or constipation, pain in the stomach, bloating, fatigue, or losing weight without attempting to could also be seen as indicators of cancer.
As we say, however, there's another symptom of the potentially-fatal illness which GPs across the globe are particularly concerned about, being how overlooked they suppose it is.
"This tends to occur if tumours are present near the end of the colon or if they line the entire inside of the colon, which narrows whatever stool passes through."
Cecchini - who is also co-director of the colorectal program at the Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers - went on to emphasise: "When it exists, it is highly concerning."
These types of stools could be a sign that the colon is narrowing or has a blockage - both of which could be caused by the presence of cancer in the body.
According to gastroenterologist Dr Jeffrey Dueker - who works as an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - healthy stools should appear sausage-shaped, as opposed to pencil-like.
He added that they should either be expelled in one single piece, or in several small pieces.
The medic also emphasised that any changes to someone's bowel movements - including frequency of bathroom visits, or changes to the shape/consistency of a stool - should be addressed by a professional.
Cecchini concluded, however, that - whether you believe these changes to be serious or not - early diagnosis and treatment of bowel cancer is always key.
"It’s important to catch cancer early through screening or alerting to some of these symptoms so that we diagnose cancer at an earlier stage," he explained.
"Where it’s more treatable and hopefully curable. We still cure the majority of people with this cancer every year."
Rhianna Benson