The statistics on colon cancer and rectal cancer – often combined and called colorectal cancer – are both frightening and important to know. For example, Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death.. In addition, Colorectal cancer rates among young people are increasingalmost double since 1995.
We also need to be especially conscientious, because many signs of colorectal cancer, such as constipation, diarrhea and fatigue, are easily ignored. You might assume it’s just another case of irritable bowel syndrome, a food sensitivity, or an undercooked meal.
All of this highlights the importance of knowing what symptoms may indicate colorectal cancer and identifying them as soon as possible. Inasmuch as the doctor specializing in colorectal cancer will tell youprevention and early intervention are essential. This may involve knowing your family history, getting regular screenings, and paying attention to symptoms..
Speaking of which, there’s a certain symptom that doctors want to make sure you’re aware of: bowel incontinence. Even though it may seem embarrassing to talk about it, we have to do it. Doctors then explain the concerning sign, other common signs of colorectal cancer, and what prevention and treatment looks like. After all, the more information you have, the better prepared you are.
Bowel incontinence as a sign of colorectal cancer
For what it’s worth, this sign isn’t very common – and that can be a good or bad thing.
“Leaky gut, also called fecal incontinence, is not a problem experienced by most colorectal cancer patients, but it can occur, particularly in cancers involving the rectum,” said Dr. Jason B. Carterurologist and medical advisor at Aeroflow Urology, certified by the American Board of Urology.
It’s a good reminder that even if a symptom isn’t common or necessarily listed on a website, it still indicates that it’s crucial to see a doctor.
There are several reasons colorectal cancer causes leaky gut, according to Dr Ketan Thankia board-certified colorectal surgeon specializing in benign and malignant diseases of the colon, rectum and anus at MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center in California:
- Rectal cancer can decrease the rectum’s ability to detect and accommodate stool when it arrives.
- Rectal cancer can invade and weaken or disrupt nerve signals to the anal sphincter, decreasing your ability to hold stools.
- Colon and rectal cancers can secrete large amounts of mucus, which produces diarrheawhich is more difficult to retain than solid stools.
- Colon and rectal cancer can cause a narrowing of the colon/rectum, in which solid stools cannot pass, and liquid stools under pressure are expelled and can cause unexpected leaks.
It should be noted that this is usually not the first sign you will experience.
“Most patients diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer first experience other symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, iron deficiency anemia or persistent fatigue,” Carter said.
So, this symptom may indicate more advanced cancer.
“Unfortunately, fecal incontinence often appears later in the course of colorectal cancer because obstruction usually develops once a cancer lesion becomes large enough to physically block the passage of formed stool,” said Dr Nikiya Asamoahgastroenterologist and inflammatory bowel disease specialist in Washington, DC
At the same time, this symptom is by no means a 100% clear sign that you have cancer.
“The important thing for patients to understand is that leaky gut is much more often caused by non-cancerous conditions,” Carter said. He cited aging, pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic diarrhea, prior anorectal surgeries, childbirth-related injuries, neurological disorders, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, and inflammatory bowel disease as common contributors.
Antonio Hugo Photo via Getty Images
Other signs of colorectal cancer
As mentioned above, other symptoms of colorectal cancer (which usually appear earlier) may include:
- Rectal bleeding
- Blood mixed in stools
- Persistent changes in bowel habits
- New constipation
- Diarrhea
- Narrowing of stool caliber
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained iron deficiency anemia
- Excessive fatigue
- A feeling of incomplete intestinal emptying after a bowel movement
- Pencil-thin stools or a sudden change in stool size
You can also have colorectal cancer without these signs.
“Many patients are surprised to learn that colorectal cancer can be present for some time before symptoms become evident,” Carter added. “That’s one of the reasons why screening is so important.”
Thank you, I accepted. “Colorectal cancer on the right side (furthest from the anus) often causes no intestinal changes, manifesting only as fatigue or weight loss. This is exactly why screening from age 45 is important, even when you are feeling well,” he said.
How to prevent or treat colorectal cancer
“The American Cancer Society has identified several preventable lifestyle habits that may increase the risk of colorectal cancer, including alcohol and tobacco use,” Asamoah said. “In general, gastroenterologists recommend avoiding processed foods, limiting excessive consumption of red meat, increasing their intake of dietary fiber and stay physically active to prevent colorectal cancer.
If you’re at higher risk or have a family history, regular colorectal cancer screenings via colonoscopy are an important prevention strategy, she added.
Thanki agreed, saying it’s best to eat nutritious foods, move your body and get checked up early and regularly.
Here’s more good news: “We’ve never had as many good treatments for colorectal cancer available to us as we do today,” Thanki said. “Colorectal cancer detected early can usually be treated surgically. »
If the cancer is advanced or spreading, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or targeted immunotherapies are needed in addition to surgery.
“Usually a combination of these modalities is tailored to each patient and each cancer,” he added.
When to See a Doctor for Colorectal Cancer Problems
Since seemingly “normal” symptoms can be signs of cancer – and early detection is very helpful – it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Thanki and Asamoah recommended making an appointment when you experience the onset of any of the symptoms mentioned above.
“If something is wrong with your digestive tract and digestion and it doesn’t get better after a few weeks, go see a doctor,” Thanki said. “The last thing you want to do is ignore a change in your bowel habits for months or years, then realize it’s advanced cancer that could have been cured when you first noticed the symptoms.”
Even if it’s not cancer, he continued, it could be several other treatable conditions that could also have long-term negative effects if left untreated.
“The most important message I would like to share is that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers we face today,” Carter said. “Early detection significantly improves outcomes. »
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost earlier.
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