Srinagar | WTNS | March 18:People should immediately consult doctors if they have rectal bleeding and blood in their stool as it can be dangerous for their health, Dr Kushal Mittal said on Friday.

Dr Mittal who is secretary of Association of Colon and Rectal Surgeons of India told reporters on the sidelines of Bluethon 2023, annual colorectal cancer awareness event in Nigeen club Srinagar that people have blood in their stool and usually they think it is piles and start using homemade medicines.

Once they consult doctors, they come to know it is cancer and has already spread, he said

He said that during the initial stage of blood in stool and other issues they must consult doctors so that it can be detected and treated in time.

“If it won’t be cancer, then piles and other issues can be treated as well but people shouldn’t wait for treatment when it is too late,” he said.

Common symptoms of colorectal cancers, according to him, are a persistent change in bowel habits including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool, rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain, a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely besides weakness or fatigue.

He said that piles and fissures are very common and it can be treated without operation and around 70 percent piles and 90 percent fissures can be treated without operations.

“For every issue, people shouldn’t wait for the last stage as for every problem, early detection is a must,” he said.

In order to lower your risk for colorectal cancer, he said, people must undergo screening for colorectal cancer, eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, get regular exercise, take control of their weight, don’t smoke and avoid alcohol.