Colon cancer symptoms and prevention

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According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. According to estimates, there will be nearly 160,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States in 2026. That's why you should know the common symptoms of colorectal cancer and understand the importance of colon cancer preventive screenings and early detection.

• Colonoscopy guidelines from the American Cancer Society recommend regular colorectal cancer screenings for most people between the ages of 45 and 75.
• People with a family history of the disease or who have certain other risk factors should talk with their doctor about beginning screenings at a younger age.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer

Some of the most common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
• Rectal bleeding
• Dark stools, or blood in the stool
• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unintended weight loss

Remember, many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused by something that isn't cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease. In most cases, people who have these symptoms do not have cancer. Still, if you have any of these problems, go to your primary care provider so the cause can be found and treated.

Colorectal cancer screenings can prevent some colorectal cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called polyps.

Chronic disease increases the risk of colorectal cancer

According to the National Library of Medicine, patients with chronic inflammatory conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are at a heightened risk for colorectal cancer. Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes or obesity also see an increased risk, compared to those without these conditions.

If you've been diagnosed with Crohn's disease or another risk factor, talk to your primary care provider about getting screened before age 45.

Screening for colorectal cancer

Colon cancer screenings can catch issues early — often before symptoms appear, like in Angie's case. The primary goal of screening is to catch precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. Colonoscopy is highly effective in achieving this goal.

At home, stool-based tests are a low-risk, non-invasive option, but are not as accurate as colonoscopies and are relatively poor at screening for precancerous polyps. Detecting these polyps early allows for their removal before they become cancerous, which is crucial for effective cancer prevention.

Talk to your primary care provider about when it’s time to get screened and take that next step with confidence.