Many older adults take blood thinner medications for a variety of medical conditions, such as an irregular heartbeat. According to a new study conducted in Denmark, if your aging relative is using a blood thinner and experiences gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, it may be wise to have them evaluated for colon cancer.<\/p>\n
Link Between Blood Thinners and Colon Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n The Danish study involved more than 125,000 people who atrial fibrillation (a-fib), which is a condition that causes the heart to beat irregularly. The study was published in the European Heart Journal. They discovered that between 4 and 8 percent of people taking blood thinners who had bleeding in their GI tract were diagnosed with colon cancer. In comparison, only 1 percent of those who did not have bleeding. These results equate to having an 11 to 24 times greater chance of developing colon cancer.<\/p>\n The researchers suggest that their findings indicate a need to keep a closer eye on people who have GI bleeding, whether or not they are taking blood thinners. More in depth examination should be conducted, rather than simply dismissing the bleed as a side effect of the drugs.<\/p>\n Other Risk Factors for Colon Cancer<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to paying attention to gastrointestinal bleeding, there are other risk factors that increase the chances of your aging relative developing colon cancer. Some of the risk factors are:<\/p>\n