Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of developing it increases with age (it is diagnosed more frequently in adults over 50), but the incidence of colorectal cancer in younger adults is rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing young doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get colorectal cancer,\u201d warns Dr. Tareq Kamal, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Houston Methodist Hospital. \u201cAlthough it occurs primarily in older populations, this cancer can also occur in adults under 50.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This message is particularly relevant given the alarming news that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50. That\u2019s why everyone should be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention if they experience them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe prognosis improves significantly if the cancer is detected early,\u201d Dr. Kamal emphasizes. \u201cIgnoring symptoms can allow colon cancer to progress, making it more difficult to treat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here you will find everything you need to know about this type of cancer, including its risk factors and the symptoms that warrant a conversation with your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is the colon?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The colon, also known as the large intestine, is a long tube essential to the digestive system. Its main function is to absorb water and eliminate digested food from the body in the form of feces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When cells with abnormal DNA arise and grow uncontrollably within the lining of the colon or rectum, it is called colorectal cancer. Depending on where the tumor forms, colorectal cancer is further classified as colon cancer or rectal cancer. The latter occurs much less frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cColon cancer and rectal cancer are grouped together as colorectal cancer because the tumors share similar biology and symptoms,\u201d explains Dr. Kamal. \u201cThey are also similar from a prevention and diagnostic standpoint. However, treatment options differ depending on the tumor\u2019s location. Rectal tumors are more complex to treat, so the treatment pathway after diagnosis may be different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the causes of colorectal cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it is not exactly clear what causes cancer cells to develop in the lining of the colon, much is known about what happens next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMost colorectal cancers begin as a polyp, which is an abnormal growth in the lining of the colon or rectum,\u201d says Dr. Kamal. \u201cThere are several types of polyps, but the most concerning are adenomatous polyps. These carry the risk of progressing to form a type of colon cancer known as adenocarcinoma.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also know about some factors that increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Some of these we cannot change, however, others we can, according to Dr. Kamal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A family history of colorectal cancer, particularly a first-degree relative;
a history of advanced polyps (large or numerous);
certain chronic medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cystic fibrosis
; smoking;
excessive alcohol consumption;
a diet high in red or processed meats;
obesity;
and a sedentary lifestyle are all
risk factors. \u201cPeople at higher risk are those with a significant family history of colorectal cancer\u2014that is, a parent or sibling with this type of cancer,\u201d adds Dr. Kamal. \u201cThat said, anyone can get colorectal cancer, even someone who isn\u2019t at higher risk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are the early signs of colon cancer?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the better. So how can you be sure you\u2019re not missing early symptoms? The answer might not be what you expect, since the early stages of colorectal cancer are often asymptomatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGenerally, the symptoms of colon cancer don\u2019t begin to appear until the cancer is a bit more advanced,\u201d the specialist explains. \u201cIdeally, we would detect the cancer before this point.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to follow colorectal cancer screening guidelines. People at normal risk for colorectal cancer should begin having colonoscopies at age 45. If you have a higher risk, your doctor can help you understand whether you need to be screened earlier or more frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cScreening tests help us find and remove polyps before they become cancerous, as well as detect colon cancer when it is still in its early stages and easier to treat,\u201d adds Dr. Kamal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colorectal cancer screening tests are a critical component of prevention and early diagnosis, but following recommended guidelines isn\u2019t the only step toward early detection. It\u2019s also important to be aware of the symptoms of colorectal cancer so you can alert your doctor if you notice them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colorectal cancer symptoms you should never ignore<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a tumor in the colon or rectum grows, physical symptoms begin to appear. Many of these symptoms can be disruptive to your daily life, but the greatest threat is to your overall health. Consulting a doctor is essential to help prevent the cancer from progressing to later, more serious stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of colorectal cancer include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Changes in bowel habits (frequency of bowel movements or stool consistency),
rectal bleeding (blood in the stool),
abdominal or pelvic pain,
and unexplained weight loss are
all signs that many things can cause changes in bowel habits, including the common case of food poisoning. But if the problem persists for one or two months, consult your primary care physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA symptom like blood in the stool is always abnormal, and even if it happens once, it should warrant some kind of medical attention,\u201d says Dr. Kamal. \u201cMost of the time, fresh blood in the stool is due to a benign anorectal condition, such as hemorrhoids, but a diagnosis like colorectal cancer should never be overlooked.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In case you\u2019re wondering if the signs of colorectal cancer in women differ from those in men, for example, pelvic pain, Dr. Kamal says the answer is: No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAbdominal pain is a nonspecific symptom, meaning that a variety of medical conditions can cause it,\u201d explains Dr. Kamal. \u201cBut it\u2019s not more common in women than in men. The symptoms of colorectal cancer don\u2019t change based on gender.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish menstrual cramps and bloating from general abdominal pain, listen to your body. If you have unexplained pelvic pain that doesn\u2019t go away, see your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf you notice any signs of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor,\u201d Dr. Kamal concludes. \u201cDon\u2019t delay seeking medical attention, even if you\u2019re younger and otherwise healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Colon cancer is the fourth most common cancer in men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. The risk of developing it increases with<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-03-at-11.34.37-AM.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6094"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6096,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6094\/revisions\/6096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humorsidehub.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}