Bowel cancer: 5 early signs and symptoms that often go unnoticed

Bowel cancer— also called colorectal cancer— is one of the most common cancers in people world over. However, not many people know that they are at risk until it is already too late and the cancer has advanced. That’s because early symptoms of bowel cancer are often mild, vague, or mistaken for something less serious-- like indigestion or a stomach bug. On the contrary, if you notice the subtle signs and symptoms early on, then bowel cancer is highly treatable. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to what your body is telling you, even if the signs seem minor or random at first. So, here we list some of the early signs and symptoms of bowel cancer that often go unnoticed:

One of the earliest warning signs of this cancer is that there's a persistent change in your bowel movements like-- going more often to the loo than usual, getting constipated, or having looser stools than normal. Some people also experience a feeling that their bowels haven’t fully emptied even after going. While occasional changes in one's bowel habits are normal, if it lasts for three weeks or more you should visit your doctor for it. Why? Because bowel cancer can affect how your intestines function, causing these subtle disruptions in your bowel habits.

Seeing blood in your stool can be alarming sign. While seeing blood in the stool can be caused by something less serious like hemorrhoids, it can also be an early sign of bowel cancer. The blood may be bright red or darker and mixed in with your stool. If you often spot blood in your stool, and also feel other symptoms like fatigue or weight loss, then don’t delay getting your health checkup done. Even if it’s just a small amount, regular bleeding from the rectum should never be ignored.

Losing weight without any major reason-- like a change in your diet or more exercise-- can be a red flag for your overall health including bowel cancer. Cancer cells can alter how your body uses energy, thus causing unexpected weight loss. In bowel cancer, tumors may interfere with nutrient absorption or increase inflammation in the body, both of which can cause significant and unwanted weight loss.

Have you started feeling cramping, bloating, or discomfort frequently in the abdomen in recent times? And if it doesn’t go away— then this can be a subtle sign of something more serious. Tumours in the colon or rectum can often block or irritate parts of the digestive tract, thus causing pain or feeling of fullness or discomfort. Many people commonly dismiss stomach pain as gas or indigestion, but if this persists for a long time then they should consult a doctor for it. Especially if this occurs along with changes in bowel habits or weight loss.

Do you often feel tired, despite getting enough sleep? Chronic fatigue may be an early stage of bowel cancer which can often go unnoticed. The disease can cause slow internal bleeding, leading to anemia (a low red blood cell count), which makes you feel weak and drained. So, if you constantly feel low in energy for no clear reason, you should consult a doctor for it. These subtle early signs should not be overlooked as it could be indicating towards a greater issue.