Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer – 10 Key Symptoms, Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Colorectal cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a devastating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Early recognition of the body’s signs is crucial for prompt diagnosis and treatment. In this article, you’ll discover the ten most common signs, as well as the main causes, prevention strategies, and treatment options.

10 symptoms of bowel cancer

1. Constipation and diarrhea.
The tumor disrupts the normal rhythm of the intestines for no apparent reason. The changes are permanent and may alternate between diarrhea and constipation, or make one symptom predominant.

2. Thin, elongated stools
In later stages, the tumor narrows the lumen and the stools become narrow, ribbon-like, or “crumpled.”

3. Feeling of incomplete bowel movements.
After defecation, it feels as if some of the contents have not been expelled, as if there is a feeling of heaviness inside. This most often occurs with larger stools.

4. Blood in the stool.
Streaks or drops of blood and/or mucus are observed. Their color varies from bright red to dark brown, depending on the location and characteristics of the tumor.

5. Abdominal Bloating
When the intestinal passage is blocked, stool is retained, causing a feeling of heaviness and bloating without any change in nutrition.

6. Abdominal pain and colic.
The accumulation of contents causes prolonged cramps and pain with no apparent cause.