As we enter Colon Cancer Awareness month, it’s important to take a look at both how to prevent colon cancer and how to recognize signs and symptoms if and when they appear. At Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio, we know that many early signs can be subtle, and symptoms may be mistaken for less serious conditions like gas and bloating. This is especially true in patients under 45.
Because 45 is the general recommended screening age for adults, many patients don’t consider colon cancer as a possibility when they feel abdominal pain or notice significant bowel movement changes. But the fact is, cases like those of Jenna Scott, a 31-year-old mother who dismissed symptoms as pregnancy-related until finally a colonoscopy showed stage 4 cancer, are becoming much more common.
Even if you’re younger than the recommended screening age, you should pay attention to subtle signs that something may be wrong. Here are the five most common early symptoms of colon cancer that even some doctors can miss.
We most often see this hidden symptom in women because some abdominal pain is expected, especially at certain times of the month or during specific life events. Like in the case of Jenna Scott, cramping and abdominal pain are often treated as normal in pregnant women. Even women who are not pregnant can mistake these for menstrual pain.
The fact is, if cramping lasts for a long period of time and does not ebb and flow, it could be an early sign of cancer or cancerous polyps that need to be removed. If your lower abdominal pain is persistent rather than occasional, let your doctor know and ask if you may need a referral to a gastroenterologist. Speaking up could save your life.
Paying close attention to your bowel movements can be awkward, but it’s very necessary. Your bowel movements can tell you a lot about your health, both mentally and physically. If you see major changes in your toilet bowl, including narrower stools, consistent diarrhea, or more frequent bowel movements, there may be cause for concern.
Many people who notice changes like these dismiss them as stress or diet-related.Sometimes, even your general practitioner can attribute these changes to more benign issues like hemorrhoids or pregnancy, delaying diagnosis.
The bottom line? Pay attention to your bowel movements and let your doctor know if there are significant changes. If necessary, schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist who can better assess your symptoms and risks.
Another thing you need to watch in your stool is color. Many people may dismiss that bright red color or even a hint of darker red in the toilet bowl. People who have a history of hemorrhoids are especially prone to thinking of blood in the stool as no big deal. The truth is that blood may be coming from cancerous polyps that need to be removed.
Whenever you notice bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stool, even a hint, tell your doctor. Even if it turns out to be a simple case of hemorrhoids, it’s better to know than to receive a nasty surprise during a colonoscopy.
We all feel a little run-down sometimes. But if you have consistent fatigue or weakness and you have been getting enough sleep and eating correctly, it may be something more serious. That rundown feeling might be caused by an iron deficiency due to unseen rectal bleeding.
It’s easy to dismiss feeling tired or weaker than usual. But, if it persists, it’s something to bring up with your doctor. They can do a blood test to determine your iron levels. That may lead to a colon cancer screening that could save your life.
Many people see weight loss as something positive. That’s why when the scale drops significantly, they are often grateful rather than concerned. But the truth is, unexpected weight loss without significant changes to diet or exercise is one of the earliest symptoms of colon cancer.
If you’ve noticed the scale drop by 20 pounds or more in two months, it’s time to alert your doctor. Weight loss at that speed is unhealthy at best and, at worst, may be the first sign of a life-threatening condition.
While these five signs are the most commonly missed early symptoms, they are not the only subtle signs of colon cancer that may go unnoticed. If you have felt like your bowels are not fully emptying or felt painfully full after eating a normal or even slight amount of food, let your doctor know. While these can be attributed to other, less serious causes, they can also be early signs of colon cancer.
If you are pregnant, in postpartum recovery, or have made significant changes to your diet recently, you need to pay close attention to feelings in your abdomen or changes in your bowel habits. Changes that can be easily dismissed in these life stages may become a big problem later on.
The best thing to do when you notice symptoms is to track them. On a sheet of paper, computer document, or your phone, make a note of when you noticed the symptom occurring and how long it lasted. Take the symptom tracker to your appointment and share it with your doctor. They can often spot patterns that signal them to look more closely.
If your doctor initially attributes these symptoms to another cause, including hemorrhoids, menstrual pain, or IBS, ask if these could be symptoms of anything else. If your general practitioner still dismisses your concerns, you can seek out a gastroenterologist or other specialist on your own. You know your body best. You can often sense when something is not right. Speak up and advocate for yourself and your health.
Colon cancer symptoms are often silent, subtle, or even unnoticeable at first. But if you pay attention to changes in your body, you have a much better chance of catching symptoms early. When it comes to colon cancer, early detection has been proven to improve outcomes and save lives.
If you are concerned about any of the symptoms or would like to know your personal colon cancer risk, specialists like the team at Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio are happy to help. Contact us or call 210.614.1234 to schedule your screening.
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