Gastrointestinal symptoms are often attributed to common ailments like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or stress, leading individuals to delay seeking medical attention for potentially serious conditions, including bowel cancer, according to medical professionals.
Kirsten Jackson, a dietitian specializing in IBS, notes that patients frequently self-diagnose with IBS and overlook the need for routine testing, which can result in missed cancer diagnoses. "The other thing I am routinely hearing is that people suffer with symptoms for months before seeking help, which is the difference between getting life-saving treatment and a terminal diagnosis if they were to have a cancer diagnosis," she stated.
Dr. Andrew Dam, a gastroenterologist, has observed that new gastrointestinal symptoms are often dismissed as stress, a pattern he considers concerning. Dr. Ketan Thanki, a colorectal surgeon, has also seen this, particularly in younger, otherwise healthy patients who later wished they had sought medical attention sooner.
To help prevent delays in diagnosis, medical providers are highlighting frequently overlooked signs of bowel cancer.
Unexplained Weight Loss
While weight loss can be viewed positively in some contexts, unexplained loss can be a significant indicator of cancer. Jackson explained that cancer can increase metabolism, leading to weight loss even if appetite remains normal. Dam added that this symptom is often mistaken for stress, diet changes, or aging. He advises seeking medical evaluation for more than a five to ten-pound weight loss without trying, especially if accompanied by fatigue, anemia, or changes in bowel habits.
Dark or Black Stools
Dark stools can signal bleeding higher up in the digestive tract. Thanki identified "dark stools" as a common sign of colorectal cancer that is frequently misattributed.
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding, especially if it's bright red, can be mistaken for hemorrhoids. However, Dam stressed that it is a classic symptom of colorectal cancer and always warrants evaluation, particularly if persistent. He advises seeing a doctor if bleeding lasts more than one to two weeks, is mixed within the stool, or is associated with fatigue or anemia. Thanki recommends informing a doctor about any rectal bleeding, regardless of its appearance, to determine the cause, which may range from hemorrhoids to cancer requiring further investigation like a colonoscopy.
Gastrointestinal Changes
New or persistent changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, can also indicate bowel cancer. Dam noted that a tumor can physically alter stool passage. These changes can also manifest as unexplained, persistent bloating or pain, according to Thanki. Medical evaluation is urged for bowel habit changes after age 45, if changes persist for longer than four to six weeks, or if there is a narrowing of stools or a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
Overnight Symptoms
Sudden onset of gastrointestinal issues can also be a missed sign. Jackson explained that while IBS symptoms are typically driven by the gut-brain axis and do not appear overnight, sudden onset may indicate an inflammatory disease process. While not automatically indicative of cancer, such symptoms could point to other conditions like bile acid diarrhea or IBD and warrant medical attention.
Medical professionals emphasize that colorectal cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages, making timely diagnosis critical. Current recommendations now advise starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45 due to rising incidence rates in younger adults. Misattributing serious symptoms to benign conditions can have severe consequences, underscoring the importance of consulting a healthcare provider for persistent or concerning gastrointestinal issues.