About colorectal cancer (CRC)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) begins in the colon or rectum from tissue growths called polyps, which are formed by groups of cells. While not all polyps are cancerous, it’s important to stay informed and protect yourself. 

CRC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. About 150,000 people are diagnosed and 50,000 people die each year from CRC. However, 60% of CRC-related deaths could be prevented with screening.

Starting at age 45, everyone needs to get screened for colorectal cancer, regardless of symptoms. Age is one of the biggest factors that increases your risk.

Regular screening procedures can find colon polyps and remove them before the cancer can begin to grow and develop into early-stage cancer. If caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable. Some patients who undergo screening have a polyp removed, or cancer discovered, yet had no idea anything was wrong.

CRC symptoms

It’s not uncommon for individuals diagnosed in the early stages of colon cancer (stage I or II) to not experience any colorectal cancer symptoms. Symptoms of early-stage colorectal cancer are not always obvious or visible. Oftentimes it’s only when colorectal cancer has grown into late-stage cancer or spread that symptoms appear.

Rectal bleeding – while rectal bleeding doesn’t always indicate CRC, it should never be ignored. Pay attention to the following factors and talk them through with your doctor:

• the color of the blood and/or stool

• whether the blood is on or in the stool

• if the blood is on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl

• how often the blood occurs

• if any other symptoms accompany the bleeding

Changes in your bowel habits – bowel habits vary from person to person and can change because of what you're eating, temporary infections, or other medical issues. While some people have a bowel movement once per day, others may have a few bowel movements per day. Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing:

• black, tarry stools

• clay-colored stools

• deep red stools

• white-colored stools

• blood in your stool

• inability to pass gas

• mucus in your stool

• passing watery, diarrhea-like stools for more than 24 hours

• pus in your stool

• severe abdominal pain

• no stool in three days

• abdominal pain

• sudden urges to have a bowel movement with an inability to control the bowel movement

• unexplained weight loss

• very narrow stool

Stools are narrower than usual – narrow stools can be caused by several things, ranging from harmless, temporary conditions to more serious underlying medical conditions. These include anything from low-fiber diets, temporary infections, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), to colorectal cancer. Narrow stools, like pencil-thin stools, can be caused by an obstruction in the colon, like a tumor. For the most part, narrow stools that occur infrequently are not a cause for concern. But if you experience narrow stools for more than a week, seek medical attention from your doctor.

Frequent gas pains, bloating, a feeling of fullness, or abdominal cramps – most people produce about 1 to 4 pints of gas per day and pass gas (fart) up to 21 times per day. Any obstruction in the colon, including cancer, can hinder your ability to pass gas. The colon is located in the abdomen, so if colon cancer is the cause of your bloating or pain, it is not uncommon to feel discomfort in that area. This can lead to signs of colon cancer.

Unexplained weight loss – rapid or unintended weight loss is a colon cancer sign. In patients with cancer, weight loss is often a result of cancer cells consuming the body’s energy as they multiply. In addition, your immune system is also spending more energy to fight and destroy cancer cells. If colorectal cancer is the specific cause of your weight loss, this may be due to the tumor blocking the colon or intestinal tract, preventing proper nutrient absorption. Make sure to consult a doctor if you experience weight loss for no known reason to find out the underlying cause.

Tiredness, weakness, and fatigue – similar to patients experiencing weight loss for no reason, colon cancer symptoms can also cause you to experience constant weakness and fatigue. Since cancer cells multiply unchecked, the constant, extra energy consumption can cause you to feel very tired despite having normal rest. Chronic fatigue is most likely a sign of an underlying medical condition, even if it is not caused by colorectal cancer. If you experience fatigue that is not alleviated by normal rest or sleep, seek attention from your doctor.

Symptoms vary based on the person and differ in severity based on the cancer’s location in the colon or rectum, size, and growth. Some colorectal cancer symptoms are most noticeable through changes with your digestive tract, but others can impact your entire body. Check with your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above, regardless of your age.

CRC risk factors

Anyone can get colorectal cancer. CRC affects all genders, ages, races, and ethnicities. The lifetime risk for colorectal cancer is 5%. About 1 in 23 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime. 

• Age – over 90% of people diagnosed with CRC are over age 50. As we age, we are more likely to grow colon polyps, which may undergo gene changes that turn normal tissue into cancer. This is why age is one of the top CRC risk factors. 

• Diet – too little fruit, vegetable, and fiber consumption can put you at a higher risk, as well as frequent consumption of red meat, processed meats, meats that are cooked at very high temperatures, and fats

• Heavy alcohol consumption – more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men

• Smoking

• Inactivity

• Obesity

• Family history of colorectal cancer

• Family history of colon polyps

• Personal history of colon polyps, colon cancer, rectal cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, or breast cancer

• Personal diagnosis of type 2 diabetes

• Previous radiation therapy directed at the abdomen

Of all racial groups in the United States, African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rates. Worldwide, Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. Doctors may suggest earlier screening if your race and ethnicity present an increased risk.

Information source: fightcolorectalcancer.org