Colorectal Surgeon at Mwin Tuba Hospital and Colorectal Center, Professor Jonathan Dakubo, has urged Ghanaians not to ignore any signs of bleeding in their stool, warning that it could be an early symptom of colorectal cancer, a deadly but preventable disease.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show as part of Joy Cancer Awareness Month, Prof. Dakubo explained that colorectal cancer often begins silently as non-cancerous growths known as polyps, which can gradually develop into cancer if not detected and treated early.
“These cancers start as a polyp, which is not a cancer, but over time, if not treated, will develop into one,” he said.
“Many of these polyps cause no symptoms at all and may only be found during a colonoscopy. If we find and remove them early, that ends the story.”
Professor Dakubo stated that the earliest and most common warning sign of colorectal cancer is bleeding.
“The commonest and most frequent symptom is blood in the stool. We are not supposed to bleed from any part of our body lining. Once someone notices blood from any opening, the nose, mouth, urethra, or anus, it means something is wrong. The only natural bleeding occurs from the uterus, and that’s only during menstruation.”
He explained that once blood is seen in the stool or detected during an occult blood test, it must be investigated immediately.
“If we look for all patients who have blood in their stool and investigate them, we’ll pick about 95% of all colorectal cancers,” he said.
Other symptoms to watch for include a persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained bloating, abdominal discomfort, frequent hiccups, indigestion (dyspepsia), sudden weight loss, tiredness, and anemia.
“When the cancer starts bleeding slowly inside, the person may feel weak, pale, and tired. The heart may beat faster because of blood loss. Sometimes people even feel a lump in their abdomen that is when the cancer has grown,” he explained.
Professor Dakubo also highlighted unique symptoms of rectal cancer, such as a persistent urge to pass stool (known as tenesmus) even after visiting the toilet, or experiencing false diarrhea.
“You may have a strong urge to go to the toilet, sit down, and nothing comes out. You may pass only air or a little mucus. When this keeps happening, it means there is something in your rectum causing it,” he said.
He added that the shape of one’s stool can also be a clue. “If you realise your stool has become pencil-thin or comes out like pellets instead of being bulky, that should worry you,” he warned.
Prof. Dakubo stated the importance of screening as the most effective way to detect colorectal cancer early.
“Of all the cancers we screen for, colorectal cancer is the only one where screening clearly reduces both the number of cases and deaths. That’s because when we find the polyp early and remove it, the cancer never develops,” he said.
He recommended that every Ghanaian aged 45 and above should undergo a colonoscopy once every five years, with an occult blood test in between every two to three years.
“If we follow this schedule, we’ll catch the disease early, remove the polyps, and prevent cancer from developing,” he assured.
Describing the procedure, he said patients are prepared the day before by clearing the bowel and are sedated to prevent discomfort.
“The colonoscope, a flexible tube with a camera and light, is passed gently through the rectum to examine the entire colon. If anything abnormal is found, we can remove it or take a biopsy immediately.”
He also mentioned the availability of virtual colonoscopy, which uses CT imaging, but noted that standard colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it allows direct removal or testing of any suspicious growths.
Prof. Dakubo stated that once cancer is confirmed, surgery is the main form of treatment, supported by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and modern targeted therapies depending on the cancer’s stage.
“The surgeon’s role is to remove the part of the colon that is affected. In the developed world, 90% of colorectal cancer surgeries are done laparoscopically, that is, through small keyhole incisions, but in Ghana, it’s still very low.”
He said Mwin Tuba Hospital is leading efforts to change this. “At Mwin Tuba Hospital, we now do all colorectal cancer surgeries laparoscopically. Patients recover faster, go home in about three days, and feel completely normal within two weeks.”
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