Colon Cancer: What to Look Out For

Colon cancer and rectal cancer are also known as bowel cancer, colorectal cancer, or cancer of the large intestine. The colon and rectum make up your large intestine or gut. 

Colon cancer occurs when cells in the colon mutate and grow out of control. The cancer may also develop when abnormal growths, called polyps, sometimes grow in the colon or rectum. Over time, these polyps can develop into cancer. Regular screenings to detect and remove polyps reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.

According to WHO, colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Around 1 in 10 people get colon cancer. 

Many think that colon cancer only affects older people, but that is not the case. Although it is more common in people over the age of 60, you can get it at any age. That’s why it’s important to know the signs.

In many cases there are no obvious signs or symptoms with colon cancer in the early stages. However, the most common symptoms to look out for are:

• Change in bowel habits: A sustained change in your bowel habits is a common symptom of colon cancer, such as going more or less often, diarrhoea or constipation that lasts for more than a few days, or feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty fully.
• Blood in stool: Blood in the stool which may make it look bright red, dark brown or black. The bleeding is not heavy and in many cases not even noticed, as it’s just a small trickle mixed with the stool. 
• Rectal bleeding: Bright red blood on the toilet paper after a bowel movement or red or pink water in the toilet bowl can be signs of bleeding from your bottom. 
• Unexplained weight loss: If you are losing weight for no reason or without trying. Unintentional weight loss is the loss of 10 pounds or more in six months or less without knowing the reason.
• A lump in your abdomen: Feeling a lump anywhere in your tummy.
• Abdominal pain: General abdominal discomfort such as bloating, cramps or belly pain in your lower stomach, after eating or before opening your bowels.
• Weakness and fatigue: Feeling very tired all the time for no reason or feeling more tired than usual, and/or anaemia. Colon cancer can cause anaemia, which can make you feel very tired, short of breath, and have headaches.

Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have colon cancer, but it’s still important to find out what’s causing them. Talk to your doctor if you have one or more of the above symptoms and they have persisted for four weeks or more. 

• A personal history of colon cancer, polyps, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Type 2 diabetes, or Crohn's disease.
• A family history of colon cancer, or polyps, especially a close relative such as a parent or sibling.
• You are 60 years of age or over.
• Certain lifestyle factors including being overweight or obese, smoking, eating a diet high in processed or red meat and low in fruits, vegetables, and fibre, drinking a lot of alcohol, smoking, and physical inactivity can all contribute to colon cancer. 

As well as knowing the signs to look out for, you should always discuss colon cancer screenings with your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.

Because most people understandably find it uncomfortable talking about their bowels, even to their doctor, people with bowel cancer may only talk to their doctor when their symptoms get really bad. This can mean that colon cancer is caught a lot later. So if you are ever worried about symptoms, it is important to discuss them with your doctor as soon as possible.

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