Hemorrhoids do not turn into cancer, but cancer is commonly misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids. Often, this stems from a self-diagnosis, but can also come from an inexperienced doctor or one who fails to do their due diligence to rule out cancerous lesions.
Minor bleeding during bowel movements is often the first noticeable sign of cancer of the colon or anal canal. Since hemorrhoids are much more common than cancer, and benign, many people opt to ignore the possibility of cancer and use over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or other treatments for piles.
As you can imagine, this is not the best approach. If you have any bleeding at all, it is important to get to the bottom of it. In addition to rectal bleeding, other symptoms of cancer may include:
- Uncontrolled itching
- A mass near the anus
- Pain in the anal area
- Change in shape or consistency of stool
- Unexplained changes in bowel habits
- Abnormal discharge
- Swollen lymph nodes, most commonly in the groin
If you have the symptoms above, it is advisable to speak with a healthcare professional so as to be sure it isn’t cancer. They can examine you and provide you with more information about your specific situation.
In general, it is important to pay attention to any changes in your bowel habits or any unusual symptoms you may be experiencing, and to report these to a healthcare professional. Early detection and treatment of any potential problems can greatly improve the chances of a good outcome.