Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Following the recent passing of Brazilian singer Preta Gil, who died from complications of colorectal cancer, attention has turned to a symptom she described as the “tape poop.” Gil, who passed away on Sunday, April 20th, had previously spoken about how certain signs of the disease can be overlooked in daily life.
In an interview in 2023, Gil detailed experiencing “absolutely exaggerated constipation” for approximately six months, going up to 10 days without a bowel movement. She noted that when she did go, the feces were accompanied by blood, mucus, and had a flattened, “tape-like” shape. At the time, she dismissed these changes as normal.
Gil explained that the flattened appearance of her stools was due to the cancer’s location in her rectum, the final section of the intestine. The tumor’s pressure on the rectum altered the shape of the feces. However,it’s important to note that “tape poop” can have various causes,and medical consultation is advised.
In addition to the changes in bowel habits, Gil also reported experiencing “high blood pressure peaks” and frequent headaches. She recalled that during her initial hospitalization, her symptoms were attributed to headaches, leading to a referral to a neurologist.
Diagnosis and Screening recommendations
Gil’s diagnosis came after a critically important episode of bleeding. She described waking up to find a large amount of blood,feeling unwell,and experiencing fainting. Upon arriving at the emergency room,doctors ordered imaging tests,including a tomography and resonance scan,which revealed the tumor.
The singer also revealed that she had never undergone a colonoscopy, emphasizing its importance. She stated that the procedure is recommended for individuals over 45, or younger if there is a family history of intestinal cancer. Colonoscopies can detect polyps, which can be removed before they develop into cancer.
According to recent data released by the National Cancer Institute (Inca), over 45,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are projected to be diagnosed in Brazil in 2025. This type of cancer ranks as the third most common among both men and women, following non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.