Colon cancer: how to spot it early and avoid it (2024)

FAQs

Colon cancer: how to spot it early and avoid it? ›

While in many cases, there are no obvious symptoms with colon cancer, there are some that can be warning signs and should be discussed with your physician. These include: Any major change in bowel habits. Blood in the stool that is either bright red, black or tarry.

While in many cases, there are no obvious symptoms with colon cancer, there are some that can be warning signs and should be discussed with your physician. These include: Any major change in bowel habits. Blood in the stool that is either bright red, black or tarry.

Get Screened

Getting regular screening tests for colon cancer is the single best way to protect yourself from the disease. It can catch cancer early, when it's most treatable, and help prevent the disease by finding abnormal growths called polyps that can turn into cancer.

Colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is a procedure to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas, or cancer. A colonoscope is inserted through the rectum into the colon. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing.

Pelvic pain may also be accompanied by other symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as changes in bowel habits (e.g., diarrhea or constipation), rectal bleeding, unintended weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. The presence of these symptoms alongside pelvic pain may raise suspicion for colorectal cancer.

Pencil-thin stool is unusually long and thin, which can indicate there is a narrowing of the colon due to a cancerous tumor. Flat stool. Abnormally flattened or ribbon-like feces characterize flat stool. Tumors that change the shape of the colon or rectum can create this type of stool.

Symptoms of colon cancer can include: A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain.

When colorectal cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread, the 5-year relative survival rate is about 90%.

Stool tests.

Both polyps and colorectal cancers can bleed, and stool tests check for tiny amounts of blood in feces (stool) that cannot be seen visually. (Blood in stool may also indicate the presence of conditions that are not cancer, such as hemorrhoids.)

Green leafy vegetables: kale, spinach, and broccoli, are full of natural lutein, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and calcium. Orange fruits and vegetables: carrots, cantaloupes, sweet potato, and pumpkin, contain natural beta carotene. Red fruits and vegetables: tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit contain lycopene.

How can I rule out colon cancer at home? ›

Fecal immunochemical test (FIT): This is an inexpensive, at-home, stool-based test that looks for proteins found in the blood. Blood in the stool could be a sign of colon cancer, and a positive FIT test would signal that you need to get a colonoscopy.

Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the following may indicate colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.

Pantel says, “you should get checked out if you have rectal bleeding, if you have any change in your bowel habits, any change in appetite (like feeling “full” early), weight loss, or abdominal pain that is not explained.” Your symptoms may be different than those of someone you know who had colorectal cancer.

Red flags included abdominal pain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19 to 1.49), rectal bleeding (OR = 5.13, 95% CI = 4.36 to 6.04), diarrhea (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.14 to 1.78), and iron deficiency anemia (OR = 2.07, 95% = 1.61 to 2.66).

Primary tumors located in the colon — and even those that have spread to other organs — can cause real pain. And patients who have a full-blown obstruction can be in a lot of pain. But those who don't might just experience some mild discomfort or even an occasional crampy feeling.

Constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain can all be symptoms of colorectal cancer. But they can also be signs of other conditions, including Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and even a stomach virus.

During stage 1 of colon cancer, no obvious signs or symptoms may have developed. As symptoms develop, they may vary depending on the tumor's size and location in the large intestine. Early symptoms may affect only the colon and result in changes in bowel habits.

Colon cancer is typically slow-growing, starting as a benign polyp that eventually becomes malignant. This process may occur over many years without producing any symptoms. Once colon cancer has developed, it may still be years before it is detected.

Polyps in the colon or rectum

Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Polyps are quite common, especially as you get older. Most polyps are benign, or noncancerous.