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Symptoms and Signs Of Colon Cancer & Younger Age Onset Colon Cancer
What is Colon and what are signs and symptoms of colon cancer ?
The colon is a digestive organ in the body. It is also known as large intestine. Digestion of food goes through different phases and organs. Colon absorbs water and certain nutrients and converts it into stool. Healthy eating is good for your overall health, but having a low-calorie, high-fiber diet that includes mostly fruits and vegetables is important to a healthy colon. Exercise and healthy habits like avoiding excess alcohol and smoking is also important to good colon health. Common symptoms and signs of colon cancer broadly include bleeding , change in bowel habits , constipation , abdominal pain , loss of weight and appetite. Colon cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and is now affecting more young age people.
What Can I do to reduce the risk of Colorectal cancer?
You can reduce the colon cancer risk by diet and lifestyle modifications. Diet high in fruits, vegetables and low fat helps reduce the risk. Also exercise on a regular basis helps protect against colon cancer. There have been some studies that increased consumption of red meat also increases the risk of colorectal cancer. Getting a regular screening for colon cancer with colonoscopy, stool tests, virtual colonoscopy helps in early detection.
Is Colorectal cancer curable?
Colorectal cancer can be curable with 90% good prognosis if it can be detected early. But majority of patients come to see doctor when disease is in advanced stage which means it has spread beyond the wall of colon and rectum or has distant metastasis. This is why screening for colon cancer helps prevent and detect cancers at an early stage when they are not causing symptoms.
I have no symptoms, then why do I need Screening?
In fact, screening for colon cancer is done only for asymptomatic individuals after the age of 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, then you may need screening before the age of 45. Also, if women have family history of endometrial, ovarian, thyroid, kidney or breast cancer should get early screening. Please discuss with your colorectal surgeon regarding the screening age and modality.
I don’t have any family history of colon cancer. Do I still need a colon screening?
Majority of colorectal cancer develop in individuals who have no family history of cancer in their family. Certainly, all the socities recommend screening for everyone above the age of 45.
Are younger people affected with colon cancer and do insurance companies cover the screening ?
Colorectal cancer is a second leading cause of death in this country. Recently incidence of colon cancer has been rising in younger population. You should not ignore any rectal bleeding or change in bowel habit symptoms. Almost all the insurance companies do cover screening colonoscopy after the age of 45.
Colon cancer is no longer considered a disease of older adults. It is now one of the fastest-rising cancers in younger people under 45 — a troubling trend prompting leading health organizations to push for earlier screening.
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 107,000 new cases of colon cancer and more than 46,000 new cases of rectal cancer were expected in the United States in 2025. Combined, colorectal cancer remains the third most diagnosed cancer in both men and women (excluding skin cancers) and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths nationwide.
Even more concerning: rates in adults under 55 have nearly doubled since the mid-1990s.
“It used to be that colorectal cancer was primarily seen in people older than 60. That is no longer the case . “We are diagnosing more patients in their 40s — and even 30s — often at later stages. That’s why awareness and screening are critical.”
Because of the rise in younger aged diagnoses, the American Cancer Society has lowered the recommended starting age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 years old. Researchers are continuing to investigate why rates are rising among younger adults, with obesity, ultra-processed diets, low fiber intake, and reduced physical activity believed to contribute.
Colon cancer often develops silently, without symptoms in its early stages. Screening can detect precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. “Screening isn’t just about finding cancer — it’s about preventing it. “A colonoscopy can remove polyps before they ever become life-threatening.”
Colon cancer does not have a single cause, but risk factors include:
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Personal history of colorectal polyps
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Certain inherited genetic syndromes
- Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
We encourage you to take proactive steps:
- Diet – Lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit red and processed meats. Moderate alcohol.
- Exercise – Aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week.
- Healthy Weight – Obesity significantly increases colorectal cancer risk.
- Quit Smoking – Tobacco use increases risk for cancers throughout the digestive tract.
Warning signs may include rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, or changes in bowel habits — but many patients have no symptoms at all in early stages.
“The most important step you can take is scheduling a screening beginning at age 45 — or earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer”. “Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable when detected early.”
I have heard bad things about colonoscopy and is it a difficult procedure?
Colonoscopy procedure itself does not cause pain. Patients require sedation for this procedure. Now a days most places use CO2 (carbon dioxide) to insufflate the colon which causes early absorption and least post procedure bloating and discomfort. Colonoscopy is a safe procedure as performed by experienced physicians. Most important step is to clean the bowel before the procedures. There are different cleaning medication options are available and please discuss this with your colorectal surgeon.
Does every polyp eventually form a cancer?
Colonoscopy is the only screening modality available which can remove the colon polyps at the same time. Pathologist will check these polyps and will give the detail reports on the types in few days. There are certain kind of polyps as adenomatous polyps which increase the risk of colorectal cancer and eventually progress to cancer formation. Moreover, hyperplastic type of polyps do not increase colorectal cancer risk and are usually benign and harmless. If these polyps are large or become cancerous then they will need a surgical resection. You should see a colorectal surgeon in that scenario for further cure and treatment.
For more information please check the following links:
Colon Cancer Facts | Colon Cancer Coalition
Basic Information About Colorectal Cancer | CDC