A scientific study revealed that anal bleeding may be a strong indicator of colon cancer.
As part of the study, which was published during the annual conference of American surgeons, researchers reviewed the records of more than 400 patients under the age of 50.
The results showed that patients who suffer from anal bleeding are 8.5 times more likely to develop colon cancer compared to those who do not suffer from this health symptom.
The results also showed that 70% of those diagnosed had no genetic history of the disease, and that 90% of them underwent a colonoscopy because of the symptoms they had, and not as part of a routine examination.
The website “Health Day”, which specializes in medical research, quoted members of the study team as saying that these results indicate that there is a gap in health care related to this serious disease, given that young people who are not keen to undergo regular examinations have an increased risk of developing colon cancer.
The study found that some practices, such as smoking, increase the risk of colon cancer, and that genetic factors play a less than expected role in contracting the disease.
The researchers urged people in the age group between their thirties and forties to look more seriously at any disease symptoms they experience, and advised doctors to seriously consider performing a colonoscopy for anyone who experiences anal bleeding, even if they are younger.