Unfortunately, the early stages of colon cancer can leave you with no symptoms. Polyps are virtually symptomless until they are left untreated and develop into different types of cancer. So your best option of protection against this disease is to get screened through a type of procedure called a colonoscopy. Early detection of the colorectal cancer greatly improves the chances of a cure. Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for anyone 50 years of age and older. Those younger than 50 should be screened if they are at increased risk at a designated time from their doctor. Increased risk is defined as one or more of the following factors listed below. However, if colon cancer is left untreated you may begin to notice symptoms which are outlined below.
Symptoms
Types of Symptoms:
Local Colon Cancer Symptoms
Local colon cancer symptoms affect your bathroom habits and the colon itself. Some of the more common local symptoms of colon cancer include:
• Changes in your bowel habits, such as bowel movements that are either more or less frequent than normal
• Constipation (difficulty having a bowel movement or straining to have a bowel movement)
• Diarrhea (loose or watery stools)
• Intermittent (alternating) constipation and diarrhea
• Bright red or dark red blood in your stools or black, dark colored, "tarry" stools
• Stools that are thinner than normal ("pencil stools") or feeling as if you cannot empty your bowels completely
• Abdominal (midsection) discomfort, bloating, frequent gas pains, or cramps
If you experience any of these for two or more weeks, call your doctor right away to discuss your concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.
Systemic Colon Cancer Symptoms
Systemic colon cancer symptoms are those that affect your whole body, such as weight loss, and include:
• Unintentional weight loss (losing weight when not dieting or trying to lose weight)
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Anemia (low red blood cell count or low iron in your red blood cells)
• Jaundice (yellow color to the skin and whites of the eyes)
If you experience any of these for any length of time, even a few days, call your doctor right away to discuss your concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.
What Should I Do if I Have Some of These Symptoms?
Call your doctor so he or she can set up an appointment to see you. During the appointment your doctor will take a medical history, collect blood samples for testing, and schedule you for follow-up tests, if needed.
Many people are afraid of colon cancer screening. They worry that it will hurt and that it is embarrassing. Your doctor and nurse have performed hundreds, and in some cases even thousands, of these procedures. There is nothing to be embarrassed about and remember: Even your doctor and nurse undergo these same tests to take care of their own health.
Risk Factors
Age
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. At age 50, the risk of developing colon cancer and precancerous polyps increases dramatically.
Colorectal Polyps
Polyps, especially adenomatous polyps are a major risk factor for colorectal cancer.
Personal History of Cancer
Individuals who have been diagnosed with and treated for colorectal cancer are at risk for developing it in the future. Women who have had ovarian, uterine, or cervical cancer are at a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Family History of Cancer
Individuals whose immediate family has been previously diagnosed with colorectal, ovarian, uterine, or breast cancer may have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, especially if the individual was diagnosed before age 55.
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
such as ulcerative colitis and Chrohn's disease can increase an individual's risk of developing colon cancer by as much as 30%.
Alcohol
Heavy alcohol use is well recognized as increasing the risk of colorectal cancer.
Diet
Diets high in saturated fats, red meat, and refined carbohydrates may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Diets low in fiber, fresh fruits, and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Physical Inactivity
Individuals who are physically active are at a much lower risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Risk factors provided by The Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Center