When it’s caught early, colon cancer is highly treatable. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the five-year survival rate of early-stage, localized colon cancer is 90%. One of the best strategies for detecting the disease early is calling your doctor if you experience the number-one sign of colon cancer. Since the illness is often difficult to diagnose, taking action as soon as you notice that something is amiss may be lifesaving.
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,” explained 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, said Pratima Dibba, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan.
So, what signs should you look out for? Dr. Nathanson and Dr. Dibba agreed 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,” said 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.
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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you begin regular screenings for colorectal cancer after turning 45, though if you are at a higher risk for developing it you may want to begin earlier. Talk to your doctor about the right plan of action for you.
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