7 colorectal cancer symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

This March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, Endeavor Health gastroenterologist Jason Kramer, MD, has a critical message to patients: Do not put off your colonoscopy exam.

Colorectal cancer is no longer a disease that affects only older adults. Today, 1 in 5 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the United States are under the age of 55, and about 13% of all diagnoses are in people younger than 50.

In response to the rise in colorectal cancers in young adults, the American Cancer Society updated its screening guidelines in 2018. Colonoscopies, once recommended starting at age 50, are now advised for adults at average risk beginning at age 45.

Why is this regular screening crucial?

Since almost all colorectal cancer starts from a polyp in the colon or rectum, and early-stage colorectal cancer often doesn’t have symptoms, polyps may be present without you being aware of it. Screening tests like colonoscopy can detect polyps early on.

“That’s why colonoscopy truly is the ‘gold standard’ for screening. We can remove polyps during a colonoscopy to prevent colorectal cancer.” said Dr. Kramer.

When symptoms do occur, they may be easy to overlook.

Regardless of your age, do not ignore these colon cancer symptoms:

1. Do you notice a change in your bowel habits?
   This includes intermittent or constant diarrhea and/or constipation, a change in the consistency of your stool, or more narrow stools than usual.
2. Do you have persistent abdominal discomfort?
   This can include ongoing stomach discomfort that doesn’t go away, such as cramps, gas or pain. Nausea and/or vomiting can also be a symptom.
3. Do you have rectal bleeding or blood in your stools?
   You may have blood in your stool that is bright red, or your stool may be black and tarry or brick red.
4. Do your bowel movements feel difficult or uncomfortable?
   This can include feeling like your bowels don’t fully empty, discomfort or pain during a bowel movement, or feeling the urge to go when you don’t need to.
5. Do you often feel full or bloated?
   You may notice a constant or lingering bloating feeling.
6. Do you feel consistently weak or fatigued?
   You may feel persistently run down or tired, which may be accompanied by anemia or a low red blood cell count.
7. Do you have unexplained weight loss?
   You may lose weight for no known reason, or experience a change in appetite, nausea or vomiting.