Piles or Haemorrhoids are inflamed or bulged blood vessels in the anus region. Their appearance resembles a bag of worms. These blood vessels get bulged or inflamed due to the increased pressure on them caused due to numerous reasons like constipation, bad food habits, sedentary lifestyle, etc. One of the most common symptoms of piles is rectal bleeding. Another disease that is associated with rectal bleeding is colon cancer. Since both these diseases are characterized by rectal bleeding, many people only think of piles and never see the angle of Colon Cancer.
Piles or Hemorrhoids does not cause colon cancer, but colon cancer can present as piles. Since both piles and colon cancer share the common symptom of bleeding from the anus it is better for people to understand the difference.
How to differentiate between Colon cancer and Piles?
- Colon cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the colon whereas piles are the swelling of the blood vessels in the rectal area.
- The symptoms of colon cancer include variation in bowel movements, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, narrow ribbon-like stools, constipation, and rectal pain, etc. But the symptoms of hemorrhoids or piles include bleeding (usually starts as painless bleeding), pain around the rectal area, itching around the rectal area, a visible lump outside the anus as in external hemorrhoids.
- Colon cancer occurs due to smoking, alcohol, obesity, high-fat deep-fried diet, less fiber diet, Ulcerative colitis, genetics, etc, while Piles are usually caused due to constipation, sedentary lifestyle, low fiber diet, etc.
Usually, you should contact your doctor if you find the following symptoms because the symptoms mentioned below are not normally found in case you have only piles.
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- If you are above 40 years and does not have a history of constipation but experience sudden rectal bleeding.
Unexplained Weight loss and Loss of appetite
- Variation in the frequency of bowel movements
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Unexplained nausea and vomiting
- Anemia, Weakness or dizziness
- A family history of cancer
Regardless of whether you have a suspicion or not, you should immediately get it checked by a piles surgeon to rule out colon cancer. A proper diagnosis which includes physical examination and colonoscopy is always better to receive proper treatment at the right time. If the piles surgeon has confirmed that the condition present is only piles take appropriate medication. Be rest assured that piles does not cause colon cancer. On the other hand, if you have been diagnosed unfortunately with colon cancer, start your treatment which might include surgeries and chemotherapy immediately. Do not postpone the treatment as it may only lead to worsening of cancer and moving to other stages which are challenging to treat.