Symptoms & Risk Factors
Colon Cancer Risks
Your risk level may affect when you begin Colorectal Cancer screening. Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are affected more than others. Knowing your risks will help you and your doctor make the best decisions for your health.
Risk factors may include:
- Age: Your risk increases as you age, although more often, we're finding younger patients being diagnosed. We recommend scheduling your first colonoscopy at the age of 40 if you have an average risk.
- Race or background: People who are African-American or Jewish with Eastern European background are at a higher risk.
- Medical history: People with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, type 2 diabetes, or previous cancers have a higher risk of developing this disease.
- Family medical history: You have an elevated risk if you have close family members diagnosed or other related conditions passed down through genetics, such as Lynch syndrome.
- Lifestyle: Your risk is more directly linked to diet and exercise than any other type of cancer. Some evidence suggests that this type of cancer may be associated with a diet high in fat and calories and low in foods with fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. In addition, smoking and alcohol consumption can increase your risk.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
Talk to your doctor if you notice anything abnormal. People with colon polyps or cancer may have no symptoms at all, especially at first. By the time most symptoms appear, cancer may already be growing, making it harder to treat. At that point, symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea, constipation, or the feeling that the bowel has not emptied
- Unusually narrow stools
- Bloody stool
- Bloating, cramping, fullness, and/or frequent gas pains
- Unexplained weight loss
- Continuous fatigue
- Vomiting
These symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, so it's important to consult with your doctor if you notice something concerning. A primary care doctor or gastroenterologist can help further diagnose your condition.
Rectal Cancer Risks
Knowing your risk can help you minimize your chances of developing rectal cancer. Knowing your risk early on can lead to early action to stay healthy and minimize the likelihood of a diagnosis.
Risk factors may include:
- Age: Men and women over 45 have a higher risk of developing this type of cancer.
- Race/Ethnicity: If you are African-American or Jewish with an Eastern European background, you are at an increased risk.
- Medical history: Certain health conditions raise your risk, including ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Type 2 diabetes, or other types of cancer. And, if your doctor found polyps during a colonoscopy, you are also at an elevated risk.
- Family history: If you have family members with this type of cancer, you are at a higher risk
- High-fat diet: Lifestyle choices significantly impact your risk. Studies show that you have an increased risk if you eat a diet high in fatty calories, such as those in red meat. You may also have a higher risk if you don’t eat enough food with fiber, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Not enough exercise: If you aren’t active, you may have a higher risk of cancer development.
- Tobacco and alcohol use: Poor lifestyle choices such as smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol can increase your risk.
If one or more risk factors apply to you, that doesn’t mean that you will get this cancer. But, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about ways to minimize your risk.
Rectal Cancer Symptoms
Like Colon Cancer, most people with early-stage Rectal Cancer don’t experience any symptoms. By the time signs appear, it’s already progressing to a more advanced stage. And when cancer is advancing, it may be spreading and harder to treat.
Once this cancer has advanced, you may experience symptoms, such as:
- Bloating, cramping, and/or frequent gas pains
- Bloody stool
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Persistent fatigue
- Unexplained, sudden weight loss
- Vomiting
Many of these symptoms could be related to other health conditions, including colon cancer. However, if symptoms continue for more than two weeks, be sure to check in with your doctor to rule out cancer.