Do you often experience stomach aches, bloating, or changes in bowel habits? Sometimes we forget that these are just a simple stomach ache, gas problems, or hemorrhoids. But behind these common symptoms, there can sometimes be something more serious, such as colorectal cancer. So before you panic, let's get to the bottom of it.
Why are these symptoms similar?
Simply put, the symptoms of many diseases related to the colon and rectum are very similar. Think about how common things like stomach ache, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation are for us. But these same symptoms can also be early signs of colon cancer.
There are several other common diseases that show symptoms similar to those of colon cancer.
- Hemorrhoids: Bleeding from the rectum is the main symptom. However, this blood is usually light red in color.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Alternating stomach pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): There are two main diseases under this category, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These can cause abdominal pain, bloody or black stools with bowel movements, and unexplained weight loss.
- Infections: Some bacterial or viral infections can also cause temporary stomach upset.
See the table below to understand how similar the symptoms of these diseases are.
| Symptom | Colorectal Cancer | Other common diseases (IBS, IBD, Hemorrhoids) |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach ache/pain | There may be | There are often |
| Change in bowel habits (diarrhea/constipation) | There may be | A key feature of IBS and IBD |
| Blood in the stool | Can go dark red or black | It is light red in hemorrhoids. It can also be present in IBD. |
| Weight loss for no reason | A major feature that occurs later | Can be seen in IBD |
So, what is the difference between cancer and a normal problem?
The most important and crucial difference here is the duration of symptoms. A simple stomach ache or an infection will subside in a few days. However, in the case of colon cancer, these symptoms do not get better day by day, but are persistent .
In the early stages, colon cancer may not have any symptoms. Symptoms only appear after the disease has progressed a little. Therefore, if you have one or more of the following symptoms that last for more than a few days, you should be concerned.
- If there is blood in the stool or if there is blood on the toilet paper.
- If you have persistent flatulence, constipation , or stools that are less than normal .
- If, even after going to the toilet, you still feel like you haven't really passed stool .
- Frequent stomach aches or pain .
- Feeling very tired and weak for no reason.
- Weight loss without any effort.
The most important thing is, don't try to determine the cause of these symptoms yourself. Only a doctor can determine the exact cause.
Most colon cancers start as small growths (polyps) that grow inside the colon. Not all polyps become cancerous. But some can eventually turn into cancer. If a doctor can find and remove these polyps before they become cancerous, it can prevent cancer from developing altogether. That means early detection is the best treatment.
When should we see a doctor?
Experts recommend that anyone at average risk should start regular screening for colon cancer starting at age 45. However, if someone in your family (parents, siblings) has had the disease, you may need to start screening earlier.
Also, if you have a long-term condition like IBD (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), you are also at higher risk of developing colon cancer. So it's important to talk to your doctor and get checked regularly.
Simply put, if you continue to have any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if you have any concerns, see a doctor without delay. Your family doctor can refer you to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in this area.
What kind of tests will the doctor do?
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor will determine which test is most appropriate for you. Here are some of the most commonly used tests.
| Name of the test | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Colonoscopy | A flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted through the anus to examine the entire colon. If there are any suspicious growths (polyps), they can be removed immediately, and a piece of tissue can be taken to check for cancer cells (biopsy). |
| Stool Tests | A stool sample is checked for microscopic blood. Some modern tests can also look for DNA markers associated with cancer cells. |
| Flexible Sigmoidoscopy | This is similar to a colonoscopy, but it only examines the lower part of the colon and rectum. |
| Imaging Tests | Tests like CT scans and MRIs can take detailed pictures of the colon. A type of CT scan called a virtual colonoscopy can look for polyps or cancerous growths. However, if you see anything, you will need to have a colonoscopy to confirm it. |
Take-Home Message
- If stomach aches, changes in bowel habits, or bloating persist for more than a few days , don't ignore it.
- If you have blood in your stool, it's a condition that should definitely be seen by a doctor. Don't decide for yourself that it's hemorrhoids.
- After the age of 45, especially if someone in your immediate family has had colon cancer, screening on medical advice can be a life-saving measure.
- Colon cancer can be completely cured if detected early. So don't be afraid, and if you have any doubts, talk to a doctor today.
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