Bowel cancer: Why every 50+ must get screened for it and signs and symptoms to look for

The growth of the cancerous cells in the body is influenced by several environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors. It means every individual is equally prone to cancer, irrespective of their age, sex, gender, race or colour. Only the chances of being diagnosed with it increase with age. The same is witnessed in the cases of bowel cancer.

Data suggest that about 90 per cent of cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in people above 50 years, making it more crucial for them to get regular screening to prevent the growth of cancerous cells at an early stage. Delayed treatment combined with old-age related comorbidities can further degrade the health condition and may even turn fatal. Here are some common signs and risk factors of bowel cancer you must know about.

Bowel cancer also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer begins in the large intestine or colon. The condition usually begins as small benign clumps of cells form on the inside wall of the colon. These clumps are known as polyps and over time they may turn cancerous and lead to colon cancer. In the beginning, polyps lead to minimal problems that can only be detected with regular screening as it does not lead to any severe symptoms. Starting the treatment at an early stage can help to overcome control the growth of the cancerous cell and save the life.

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Some of the obvious signs of bowel cancer include:

Sudden change in bowel habits

Frequent diarrhoea or constipation

Rectal bleeding or blood in stool

Persistent abdominal discomfort

A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely

Weakness or fatigue

Unexplained weight loss

Bowel cancer can lead to a range of symptoms. While most of them are associated with the digestive tract and are much easier to detect, it is the uncommon signs that are often confused with other health conditions. Here are some that are linked with bowel cancer:

Iron-deficiency anaemia

Discoloured stool

When the cancerous cells start spreading to other parts of the body, it can also lead to:

Jaundice

Swelling in the hands or feet

Breathing issues

Chronic headaches

Blurry vision

Bone fractures

Several factors are responsible for the growth of cancerous cells in the colon. Some are avoidable and some are not. The avoidable risk factors include:

Overweight or obesity

Smoking

Unmanaged type 2 diabetes

A sedentary lifestyle

A diet high in processed meat

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The only trick to living a healthy, happy disease-free life is including healthy lifestyle habits in your routine. It is the only risk factor that can be controlled and can be easily followed with sheer determination. Most cancer and other chronic diseases are caused by poor lifestyle habits and by tweaking these habits you can add years to your life.