Colon cancer or bowel cancer is described as a cancer that forms in the rectum or the colon, also known as the large intestine. The large intestine is said to be “a long tube-like organ near the end of the digestive system. There are four sections of the colon: the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon”. Colon cancer can also be referred to as colorectal cancer.
Colon cancer on the rise
It was reported in early October that the American Cancer Society had stated that more young adults are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer today compared to just ten years ago. Meanwhile the average age of people who develop the disease has fallen from 72 years old to 67 years old.
Early warning signs
There are a number of early warning signs that you can look out for with regards to colon or colorectal cancer. The Independent highlighted seven of them :
Blood in your stool: one common sign that there’s something wrong is having blood in your stools, even if haemorrhoids can also cause this alarming symptom.
- A painful stomach: another symptom which might require urgent attention is persistent abdominal pain caused by cramps or gas
- Losing weight without trying: according to fightcolorectalcancer.org, among cancer patients, weight loss is often the result of cancer cells that consume the body’s energy.
- Chronic fatigue:Tri City Medical Center has noted that fatigue can be a sign that cancerous tumors are bleeding into the digestive tract, stating that “fatigue is the most common and least definitive of symptoms associated with colon cancer.”
- Pencil-thin stool and a change in bowl habits: one sign of an obstruction in the colon, like a tumour is when people have stool that is irregularly skinny and anybody with skinny poo for more than a week should see a doctor. Another cause for concern would be experiencing diarrhea or constipation more frequently.
- Anemia: although anemia is a common condition, the Endoscopy Center at St Thomas have noted that it can be a symptom of colon cancer because tumours cause chronic blood loss
- Trouble passing gas: another warning sign may be feeling full and bloated without any relief
Other symptoms
The MD Anderson Cancer Center has also noted the following as symptoms of colon cancer:
- Change in appetite
- Rectal bleeding
- Change in normal bowel habits, such as size, shape and frequency
- Discomfort or the urge to have a bowel movement when there is no need
- Discomfort or pain during bowel movements
- Discomfort when sitting
NHS Advice of colon cancer
You can find out more about bowel or colon cancer here and bowel cancer screening here.
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