What Are the Early Signs of Colon Cancer?

Early Signs of Colon Cancer: What Your Primary Care Doctor Wants You to Know

Colon cancer doesn’t always announce itself with obvious symptoms, which is why discussing changes in your digestive health with your doctor matters. Talking about your bowel habits might feel uncomfortable or embarrassing, but there’s nothing your primary care provider (PCP) hasn’t heard before.

Changes in your bowel movements, abdominal discomfort, unexpected weight loss or other unusual symptoms can be early signs of colon cancer, and they are symptoms always worth mentioning. While they don’t always mean something serious, paying attention to what your body is telling you — and talking with your PCP about anything that feels off — can help identify concerns early.

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Colon Cancer Doesn’t Care How Old You Are

While many people associate colon cancer with older adults, cases in people in their 30s and 40s have been on the rise, making awareness and early detection even more crucial.

According to the Cancer Research Institute, the proportion of colorectal cancer cases in adults younger than 55 has increased, with about 1 in 5 new cases now occurring in that age group — up from a much lower percentage in past decades. Data from the American Cancer Society shows this trend has been rising steadily, especially in adults under age 50, even as colorectal cancer rates decline in older adults.

Diagnosing colon cancer early is crucial, which is why it’s important to recognize the signs and speak with your doctor promptly.

Why Early-Stage Colon Cancer Can Be Hard to Detect

One of the most concerning aspects of colon cancer is that the first stages don’t always present with recognizable symptoms. Many people who develop colon cancer don’t have any symptoms at all.

If signs do appear, they tend to be similar to those of other gastrointestinal issues, such as hemorrhoids or inflammatory bowel disease.

Since the early signs of colon cancer are so subtle, it’s essential to take note of everything that feels different and talk to your PCP about any changes. They’ll perform the tests and primary care services you need to help you stay healthy.

Common Early Warning Signs and Symptoms to Know

There are a few signs of colon cancer to watch for. Although these don’t always mean you’ve got cancer, it’s always best to keep your primary care provider informed.

Early symptoms of colon cancer can include the following:

• Abdominal pain: You may feel persistent abdominal pain, bloating, cramps and other types of discomfort
• Anemia: You may notice your skin is paler than usual and that the inside of your mouth is whiter than normal, pointing to an iron deficiency that could occur from slow blood loss via stool movements or from the way cancer cells impact your entire system
• Changes in bowel habits: Narrow stools, persistent and new constipation, frequent diarrhea, or other changes in your bowel movements can point to a developing problem
• Fatigue and weakness: As with other types of cancer, you can experience unusual levels of fatigue that rest doesn’t seem to address, along with weakness that can make daily activities difficult to perform
• Feeling your bowels don’t fully empty: You can feel like you need to use the toilet right after emptying your bowels, causing pressure and discomfort
• Rectal bleeding: Finding blood in your stool, especially very bright or dark blood, requires a visit to your doctor to ensure everything is OK
• Unexplained weight loss: You may notice that you’re losing weight without meaning to, which could be accompanied by a lack of appetite

These early colon cancer signs aren’t unique to this disease. In fact, some of these symptoms can be attributed to hemorrhoids, while others are linked to ulcerative colitis.

For that reason, it’s important to keep note of how often you experience symptoms, how long they last and whether they get worse. Your doctor can perform or order tests to help you get an accurate diagnosis.

Why Younger and Middle-Aged Adults Need to Be Aware

Younger people who develop colon cancer tend to have it diagnosed at later stages, which impacts their survival chances. This occurs because it’s easier to ignore certain symptoms if you think you’re not in the right age range for this form of cancer.

But catching the cancer early means you can get treatment sooner, increasing your chances of recovering and living a healthy life.

What to Ask Your Primary Care Provider

Let your PCP know if:

• You’re losing weight for no reason
• You experience changes to bowel movements that last for more than two weeks
• You feel inexplicably tired all the time
• You have cancer risks, such as a family history of cancer
• You have persistent feelings of fullness, bloating or the sensation that you’ve not emptied your bowels completely
• You see bright or tarry blood in your stools
• You’ve had previous colon polyps

Ask about any health screening tests you may be eligible for and whether you should start getting them regularly. Your doctor will be able to set up a screening schedule with a specialist so that catching colon cancer can be easier.

What Your Primary Care Doctor Might Do Next

If you have any of the above symptoms, your doctor may perform a blood test and examine you. Make sure to give them as much information on your medical history as possible. In some instances, your doctor may ask for a stool sample.

If any tests return positive results, your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a doctor specializing in the digestive system) for further evaluation. That could include a colonoscopy.

When considering a PCP versus a specialist, keep in mind that you’ll need to be referred to a specialist. By building a trusted relationship with your primary care provider, you can quickly get the assistance you need.

Why Prevention Matters, Even if You Feel Fine

Colon cancer often starts with subtle symptoms or no symptoms at all. It’s why regular screenings are so important, even if you feel perfectly healthy.

There are steps you can take to support your colon health:

• Lifestyle and diet: Eating a fiber-rich diet, staying active and maintaining gut health can help keep your colon functioning well
• Know your family history: Understanding your family’s medical history, especially cancer history, is key. Certain genetic conditions can significantly increase your risk, so knowing your background can help you and your doctor spot potential warning signs earlier.

Early Action Can Make All the Difference

If you’re worried about your risk or just want to be proactive about your health, consider talking with your primary care provider about screening options. Taking that step can give you peace of mind and make all the difference. The earlier colon cancer is caught, the better the chances for successful treatment.

Our team at AdventHealth Primary Care+ can help you understand your risks and refer you to a specialist, if needed. Schedule an appointment with our team to get started.