Top doctor reveals vital colon cancer self-check as cases rise in under 50s – his advice has ALREADY saved a life

A brutally candid TikTok from Britain’s top social media doctor has highlighted the key differences between bleeding caused by haemorrhoids and deadly bowel cancer.

In the clampNHS surgeon Dr Karan Rajan responds to a surprising response video previously posted by Colon Cancer Amigo, viewed more than eight million times.

In it, the TikTok creator, who was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer at the age of 32, shows with a red highlighter what his toilet paper looked like after wiping it when he had hemorrhoids.

Also known as hemorrhoids, millions of people are affected by these swollen blood vessels in the back passage that can bleed – but although they are uncomfortable, they are considered benign.

The highlighter creates a few bright red dots, which mimic blood on the white paper.

Then the father of three dramatically uses red dye to show what the toilet bowl looked like ‘a few weeks before I went to the ER’ [emergency room]’.

Dr. Rajan, who has more than eight million followers on social media, then asks the most important question: “How do you tell the difference between bleeding from colon cancer and hemorrhoids?”

He then outlines – with characteristic candor – what people should look for to distinguish between the two conditions.

‘Blood from colon cancer is often dark red and perhaps even black and tarry because it comes from higher up in the digestive tract, giving it more time to oxidize and darken,’ explains Dr Rajan.

‘Bleeding from haemorrhoids is usually red on the right side because it comes from swollen veins near the anus or rectum.’

He continues, ‘Blood from cancer can be mixed into the stool, causing the stool to appear darker or streaked.

‘While hemorrhoidal blood usually appears on the toilet paper after wiping, on the surface of the stool or even as droplets in the toilet bowl, rather than being mixed into the stool.’

Dr. Rajan then adds, “This as a pizza topping, instead of being baked into the dough.”

Although bleeding is a sign of colon cancer – also known as colon or colorectal cancer – there are other signs to look out for, he explains.

“In addition to the bleeding, you tend to get other symptoms,” says Dr. Rajan, “such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and so on.”

In previous posts, Colon Cancer Amigo, who completed cancer treatment in January last year, admitted he had lost a large amount of weight before being diagnosed – but at the time he just thought his diet was working.

Meanwhile, says Dr. Rajan, hemorrhoids “usually only cause local symptoms of a burning sensation, such as itching, rectal pain and maybe even a lump.”

He adds that anyone who notices persistent rectal bleeding, regardless of shape or color, should have it checked “to rule out the worst case scenario, as cancer does not always follow textbook symptoms.”

Just days before posting the clip, which has been viewed more than three million times, Dr Rajan shared a surprising message he received from a follower, thanking him for his ‘life-saving’ advice on bowel cancer.

The message reads: ‘Hi, just wanted to tell you that one of your videos literally saved my life!

‘Despite the NHS screening test I have been diagnosed with bowel cancer [offered to people aged 55 and up] came back clearly… I went to my doctor because of one of your videos where you said never ignore the chances of having a bowel movement.

‘From there a colonoscopy picked up a 60mm tumor, so if it hadn’t been for you I would never have had it.

“So thank you, thank you, thank you, you are literally my life saver.”

The reports come as experts continue to warn of a worrying rise in cases of bowel cancer under the age of 50, which has baffled doctors around the world.

Over the past thirty years, the disease has increased by 50 percent in this age group.

There are more than 44,000 new diagnoses of bowel cancer in the UK each year, and almost 142,000 in the US.

Although the vast majority affects people over 50, rates have fallen or remained stable in older age groups, while diagnoses in younger people have risen.

Last week, actor James Van Der Beek revealed that he was diagnosed at the age of 47.

Doctors have suggested that obesity, overuse of antibiotics, cell phone radiation and even invisible plastic particles in drinking water are potential triggers.

However, a growing number of experts point to ultra-processed foods as the cause.

These are also known as UPFs. These are prepared foods – including bread, cereal and even salad dressing – made with artificial ingredients used to preserve flavor, add flavor and improve texture.

Some have even gone so far as to say they can be as dangerous as tobacco – and should come with a cigarette-style health warning.

Speaking to MailOnline earlier this year, oncologist and Queen’s University Belfast professor Dr Joe O’Sullivan said: ‘The spike in young cancer cases must be due to something we consume,’ he said.

“And ultra-processed foods are the biggest lifestyle change of the last 40 years.”

Another concern is that younger people with colorectal cancer have slightly different symptoms than older patients, according to a recent study.

The researchers looked at 5,000 people Taiwan of different ages with the disease, it found that six in ten over-50s suffered from rectal bleeding before being diagnosed with the disease, compared to less than half of over-50s.

And almost 60 percent of young people with the disease also experienced changes in their toilet habits leading up to or after a diagnosis, compared to 48 percent of older patients.

The study found that patients under 50 are more likely to be diagnosed later if the cancer has spread, perhaps because they ignore the health changes.