What makes stools turn grey?
Normal stools can vary in shades of brown, mostly due to one’s diet. Pale or grey coloured stools are not normal.
This colour could be a symptom of liver cancer and relates to having a problem with the drainage of the biliary system, which is comprised of the gallbladder, liver and pancreas. Bile salts are released into the stools by the liver, giving the stools their usual brown colour.
If the liver is not producing enough bile, or if the flow is blocked and not draining from the liver, the stools may become pale.
Having pale stools once in a while may not be a cause for concern.
If it occurs frequently, however, it could signal liver cancer and it’s strongly advised to speak with your GP.
According to Cancer Research UK, if liver cancer has progressed to the point that surgery is not an option, survival is often only a matter of months.
“Your GP will take your medical history and ask about your symptoms. They will also perform a detailed clinical examination.
“Your GP will then take some blood samples and may arrange for you to have an abdominal ultrasound scan,” added British Liver Trust.
