By now, you know that prevention is the first line of defence when it comes to diseases like cancer. So you do your breast self-exams, and you get your moles checked by your derm every year. But now, it’s time to start paying closer attention to what’s winding up in your toilet bowl, too.
In fact, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States among both men and women. The widespread adoption of screening in the mid-1980s has led to a steady decline in cases of colorectal cancer among adults aged 50 and older. However, new cases of early-onset colorectal cancer, while still relatively rare, have been rising since the mid-1990s.
Researchers found that people born in 1990 have double the risk of colon cancer and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer compared to those born in 1950. There’s been an uptick in younger people being diagnosed since the mid 1980s—while during the same time period, rates of the disease among adults over the age of 55 dropped.
Interestingly the National Cancer Institute states that younger dems are more likely to ignore the warning signs of colorectal cancer, ‘increasing the likelihood that their cancers aren’t caught until common colorectal cancer symptoms seen in older adults, such as weight loss and rectal bleeding, become severe.’
Why is this happening? Well, researchers still aren’t sure. “It could be related to stress, or diet or other behaviours; more research is being done to help us understand the rise,” says Lisa Ganjhu, clinical associate professor, division of gastroenterology and liver diseases, NYU Langone Medical Centre.
The news is especially worrisome for women, since colon cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer deaths among women, right behind breast cancer and lung cancer, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
But there is good news: Colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer, so if you notice any of these symptoms (and especially if you have a family history of the disease), book an appointment with your doc, pronto. If she’s concerned, she may order a colonoscopy or other imaging  to take a closer look at what’s going on.
Signs to watch out for when it comes to colon cancer
Blood in the bowl
Constipation that lasts
Everyone gets constipated occasionally, but prolonged problems pooping can indicate a blockage in the colon. That’s because at the beginning of the colon, your poop is soft and can manoeuvre around any obstacles in the way. As it progresses to the end of the colon, it firms up. If there’s a tumour at the end of the rectum, this harder waste has a hard time getting by, says Ganju. Diarrhoea that lasts more than a few days should also set off warning bells.
Cramping
Out-of-nowhere gut spasms in the lower stomach can just be gas…or something more serious. If the pains are unfamiliar, or you feel like you need to poop but can’t, your doctor will want to know, says Ganjhu.
The shape of your poo
If there’s something blocking your colon, your stool is forced into a narrow, ribbon-like shape to get past it. If your poop reminds you of the other #2 for more than a few days, seek a medical opinion, says Ganjhu. It could have another cause, but best to be on the safe side.
Low iron
Iron deficiency is one of the most common symptoms in patients with colorectal cancer. This is because the tumours generally begin to bleed, which means a reduced count of red blood cells and iron-rich protein called hemoglobin. Common signs of anemia include fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, skipped or rapid heartbeats, cold hands and feet, and difficulty concentrating.
If you or someone you love is affected by cancer, The Cancer Council has free support on 13 11 20 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
