Gastroenterologist explains symptoms of colon cancer, suggests ways to detect it early

Symptoms of colon cancer: It causes problems like abdominal pain, bleeding, change in bowel habits resulting in constipation or more frequent bowel movements, Dr Salhab said (Image: Pexels)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops when abnormal cells begin to grow in a part of the large intestine called the colon. The colon is responsible for breaking down food so that the body can efficiently use and absorb it.

While colon cancerwas once considered a disease of the elderly, it is now affecting young adults as well. There may be fewer cases of the disease in India than in Western parts of the world, but its marked increase has prompted the need for earlier screening, more public awareness, and revised diagnostic approaches.

Gastroenterologist Dr Joseph Salhab took to his Instagram account and explained what colon cancer looks like — starting from the appearance of a healthy colon to the growth of small polyps that lead to cancer, its warning signs, and its treatment. While it’s curable, it’s always best to catch it early.

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A post shared by Dr. Joseph Salhab (@thestomachdoc)

What a healthy colon looks like

Sharing a picture of a healthy colon, he said, “This is what a colon should look like. It's fairly uniform in colour, the surface looks smooth, there’s no abnormal growth or inflammation there.”

How colon cancer develops

The gastroenterologist explained, “We think that most cancers in the colon start off as little polyps or growths. They can start off super small, but if left in your colon long enough, they tend to get bigger and bigger."

Over the years, they become much larger in size. “After a few years, that small polyp can start looking like this,” he said.

Symptoms of colon cancer

When the growth expands, it begins to interfere with your body function. Dr Salhab shared some of its signs that become evident.

“It starts causing problems like abdominal pain, bleeding, a change in bowel habits resulting in constipation or more frequent bowel movements because the stool is trying to make its way past it and you’re not really emptying your colon the way you should.”

Early detection and treatment

It’s always best to be aware of the signs, catch the disease in early stages, and consult a doctor without delay. “The key is to catch it when it’s small like this because it’s easily removable and curable, and it will never turn into cancer once it’s removed,” Dr Salhab said.

“We have tools we can use in the colonoscopy to turn something like this and remove it, and we can close up the little cut after we remove it, and then your colon is as good as new,” he said.

FAQs on Colon Cancer

Colon cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the colon, a part of the large intestine responsible for breaking down food for absorption.

While it used to affect mainly the elderly, colon cancer now impacts young adults too. Early screening and awareness are crucial.

Colon cancer often starts as small polyps. If these polyps remain untreated, they can grow larger and turn cancerous over time.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, bleeding, changes in bowel habits, constipation, and frequent bowel movements due to the obstruction caused by growth.

Early detection is key. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy before they become cancerous, making the colon healthy again.