Bowel symptoms in an apparently well population

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of various kinds of bowel behavior and symptoms thought to be indicative of colorectal cancer in people randomly selected from the community. A probability sample of 330 dwellings in the inner western suburbs of Sydney yielded 202 completed interviews with occupants aged 30 years and older. Eight percent reported annoying abdominal pain that had lasted for two weeks or more in the preceding six months, while 19 percent reported a feeling of incomplete evacuation at least once every two weeks. Blood on the toilet paper was reported by 14 percent and blood in the toilet bowl by 2 percent. Twenty-one percent said they always looked at their stool in the toilet bowl and 34 percent always looked at the toilet paper after using it, but 43 percent seldom or never looked at either their stool or the paper. Of the 75 who said they looked at their stool about half the time or more, two (3.1 percent) reported seeing blood during the preceding six months. Symptoms that may be associated with colorectal cancer are common in apparently well adults. Whilst this includes bleeding from the rectum in toto, it may not be true for blood seen specifically in the toilet bowl. Because this latter symptom has potential discriminating value, it may be worthwhile to promote public education encouraging people to inspect their stools regularly, and to visit their doctor if blood is seen.

Retrospective Study on Laxative Use and Melanosis coli as Risk Factors for Colorectal Neoplasma

“…For instance, the use of herbal preparations like teas which also contain anthranoid ingredients, was probably not noticed. This explains why laxative use was reported in only 11.9% of the patients in our study, in contrast to prospective studies where this percentage ranged between 17 and 22% [2][3][4],…”

“…About 20% of the population is consuming laxatives regularly [2][3][4], Mutagenic effects of certain anthranoids could be shown in vitro [5][6][7][8] but the clinical relevance of these experimental re sults is not clear up to now. Epidemiologic studies gave no evidence for any association between laxative use and development of colorectal cancer in humans [9,10].…”

Colonoscopic evaluation of minimal rectal bleeding in average-risk patients for colorectal cancer

“…The problem may be even more common in younger adults because of under-reporting to physicians [1] . For example, a community-based study of 1643 adults ages 20 to 64 found that 13 percent reported blood on wiping.…”

Constipation and Cathartics as Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer: AMeta-Analysis

“…According to health surveys conducted in the United States, 15-20% of the US population com plain of constipation [7,8], Secondary to its frequent occurrence, even a minor increase in risk associated with constipation could have an appreciable influence on the overall inci dence of colorectal cancer. Cathartics are widely used for treatment of constipation, and from published case-control studies it appears that again 15-20% of all adults use some type of laxative on a regular basis to soften their bowel movement and increase its frequency [9,10]. It might be hypothesized that the cathartics so commonly used to treat consti pation rather than the constipation itself might be the main responsible factor for the increased incidence of colorectal cancer.…”