The development of bowel cancer generally takes many years. It usually begins in the lining of the colon or rectum. If untreated, bowel cancer can grow deeper into the wall of the bowel. From there, it can spread to lymph nodes in the area.
The most common type of bowel cancer affects the large bowel, which includes the colon and the back passage. Large bowel cancer is also sometimes called colorectal cancer.
Main symptoms of bowel cancer
Symptoms of bowel cancer may include: changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you. needing to poo more or less often than usual for you. blood in your poo, which may look red or black.
The most common site of metastases for colorectal cancer, which includes colon cancer or rectal cancer is the liver. Colorectal cancer cells may also spread to the lungs, bones, brain or spinal cord.
Possible symptoms of bowel cancer
a lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy (abdomen), more commonly on the right side. a feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo), even after opening your bowels. losing weight. pain in your abdomen or back passage.
The 3 main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in the stools (faeces), a change in bowel habit, such as more frequent, looser stools, and abdominal (tummy) pain. However, these symptoms are very common.
Colorectal cancer can occur in young adults and teenagers, but the majority of colorectal cancers occur in people older than 50. For colon cancer, the average age at the time of diagnosis for men is 68 and for women is 72. For rectal cancer, it is age 63 for both men and women.
Scan for Color Changes
Colon cancer can cause bleeding in the digestive tract and make your stool a dark brown, maroon, or black.
The development of bowel cancer generally takes many years. It usually begins in the lining of the colon or rectum. If untreated, bowel cancer can grow deeper into the wall of the bowel. From there, it can spread to lymph nodes in the area.
Sometimes, a tumour can block the bowel, causing sudden strong pains in the stomach area, bloating and feeling or being sick.
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include: A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.
Blood tests can help to diagnose bowel cancer.
Colon cancer is typically slow-growing, starting as a benign polyp that eventually becomes malignant. This process may occur over many years without producing any symptoms. Once colon cancer has developed, it may still be years before it is detected.
Lack of regular physical activity. A diet low in fruit and vegetables. A low-fiber and high-fat diet, or a diet high in processed meats. Overweight and obesity.
The general progression of colon cancer tends to be slow, but it is still a serious disease that warrants prompt medical attention. If you notice any of the following symptoms, be sure to speak with a physician: Frequent diarrhea or constipation. Blood in stool.
Thin stools are a sign of colon cancer. Any time you notice a narrow or ribbon-like stool, it indicates changes in your colon.
If early-stage colorectal cancer does cause symptoms, early warning signs may include sudden weight loss and/or narrow, ribbon-like stools. Other common early warning signs of colorectal cancer include: Rectal bleeding, either bright or dark red in color. Narrow stools.
For example, a tumor in the colon could restrict the space a stool has to pass through. However, narrow stools can occur for various reasons, which are not a sure sign of colon cancer. People with colon cancer often experience bowel movement changes, but no single stool shape indicates this disease.
If the colonoscopy finds one or two small polyps (5 mm in diameter or smaller), you are considered at relatively low risk. Most people will not have to return for a follow-up colonoscopy for at least five years, and possibly longer.
Smoking, obesity, diabetes, and inadequate exercise are risk factors for polyps, but many people with none of these risk factors have precancerous polyps in the colon. There are genetic risk factors for developing polyps as well.
While the majority of colon cancers start as polyps, only 5-10% of all polyps will become cancerous. The size of a polyp typically does make a difference. The larger the polyp becomes, the bigger the risk of it developing into colon cancer.
You use a home test kit, called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), to collect a small sample of poo and send it to a lab. This is checked for tiny amounts of blood. Blood can be a sign of polyps or bowel cancer.
A faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a simple test that can be done at home and looks for hidden traces of blood in a bowel motion. It can help detect bowel cancer in its early stages in people without symptoms. You should have an FOBT every two years from age 50.
The main test for bowel cancer is a colonoscopy. This is where a thin, flexible, tube with a camera is used to look inside your bowel. It may be uncomfortable but it should not be painful. You'll be offered a sedative and painkillers to help make you feel more comfortable.