Some types of cancer, such as cervical, breast, and prostate cancer, are easy to catch early. Tests and screenings exist that help doctors detect these illnesses and take potentially life-saving action before the severity develops. But other types are harder to detect, like colon cancer. But doctors say there is a number-one colon cancer symptom to keep in mind, and knowing it may make a big difference in getting treatment early.
Meet the experts: John Nathanson, M.D., a gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center; Pratima Dibba, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan.
“Colon cancer can be hard to diagnose because it can develop asymptomatically,” explains John Nathanson, M.D., a gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “When colon cancer does cause symptoms, they can sometimes be wrongly attributed to other processes like hemorrhoids, infection, or constipation.” What’s more, symptoms may be mild enough that they are disregarded in the early stages of the illness, not turning severe enough to warrant a call to the doctor until the disease has progressed, says Pratima Dibba, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan.
So, what signs should you look out for? Dr. Nathanson and Dr. Dibba agree that the number-one sign of colon cancer for which you should seek treatment is rectal bleeding, or blood in the stool. “Don’t just blame it on hemorrhoids,” says Dr. Dibba. According to the Cleveland Clinic, blood in the toilet after you poop may be coming from anywhere in your gastrointestinal tract, including your colon, which is why it’s crucial to get it checked out to make sure there’s nothing dangerous going on.
In addition to rectal bleeding, the experts we spoke to say that other common symptoms of colon cancer include abnormal or unintentional weight loss, severe abdominal pain, and persistent changes in bowel habits.
When caught early, colon cancer is highly treatable, per Johns Hopkins Medicine, with a five-year survival rate of 90%. Along with watching for the above signs, make sure you’re following your healthcare provider’s recommendations for when and how often to undergo screenings.
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