Colon cancer is one of the common cancer diseases worldwide, with the American Cancer Society estimating 106,000 cases to be diagnosed in the United States in 2024 alone. The American Cancer Society indicates that new case rates among individuals under 55 years old are increasing by 1 to 2 percent annually. Colon cancer is a growth of cells that begins in a part of the large intestine called the colon, according to Mayo Clinic. The colon is the first and longest section of the large intestine, while the large intestine is the final part of the digestive system that is responsible for processing food for the body to utilize.
Screening is vital for detecting the potential presence of colon cancer, as early detection can save lives, according to a report by Yahoo News. Anton Bilchik, a surgical oncologist and director of the Gastrointestinal and Liver Program at the Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute in California, stated, "If colon cancer is detected early, the majority of patients can be cured and live a normal life."
In addition to early screening, the emergence of certain symptoms may indicate signs of this malignant disease, and experts advise not to ignore these signs. Some of these symptoms include blood in the stool, according to experts who spoke to Yahoo News. Rosario Legriesti, head of the Gastroenterology Department at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, said, "The presence of blood in the stool is one of the most common symptoms of colon cancer in older patients - it is less common in younger patients."
However, by the time someone notices blood in the stool, it may not be considered an "early sign" of colon cancer. Gastroenterologist Brooks Cash stated, "Blood in the stool is a relatively late sign of colon and rectal cancer, and not every patient shows it." He added that other symptoms of colon and rectal cancer include unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits.
There is also a possibility that a patient may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Bilchik said, "Some people may not experience any symptoms at all, which is why it is important for everyone over the age of 45 to get screened, regardless of any symptoms."
