Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is any cancer that affects the colon and the rectum. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.
It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, and the third for men. However, due to advances in screening techniques and improvements in treatments, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been falling.
Colorectal cancer may be benign, or non-cancerous, or malignant. A malignant cancer can spread to other parts of the body and damage them.
Symptoms Of Colorectal Cancer
Unfortunately, colorectal cancer may strike without symptoms. For this reason, it is very important to have regular examinations, called colorectal screenings, to detect early problems.
However, not all colorectal cancers are without symptoms. One of the early symptoms of colon cancer may be bleeding. Often, tumors bleed only small amounts, off and on, and evidence of the blood is found only during chemical testing of the stool. When tumors have grown larger, other symptoms may develop. They include:
- changes in bowel habits
- diarrhea or constipation
- a feeling that the bowel does not empty properly after a bowel movement
- blood in feces that makes stools look black
- bright red blood coming from the rectum
- pain and bloating in the abdomen
- a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, even after not eating for a while.
- fatigue or tiredness
- unexplained weight loss
- a lump in the abdomen or the back passage felt by your doctor
- unexplained iron deficiency in men, or in women after menopause
Most of these symptoms may also indicate other possible conditions. It is important to see a doctor if symptoms persist for 4 weeks or more.
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