Several tests may be used to diagnose colorectal cancer. In many cases, a biopsy may be required. These imaging and laboratory tests may also be used to track the size of tumors and monitor response to treatment. Most cancers in the colon or rectum develop from polyps , so screening to find and remove them when they first form helps prevent them from growing into cancers.
Other common early warning signs of colorectal cancer include:. Although these symptoms may be caused by other, less serious conditions, such as hemorrhoids, ulcers and Crohn's disease, they should be discussed with a doctor.
Blood in the stool, even if it only appears intermittently, should never be ignored. Common local symptoms include:. If you experience these possible symptoms of colorectal cancer for an extended period of time, it is important that you visit a health care professional. Systemic colorectal cancer symptoms may impact more than the digestive tract and affect your entire body.
Common systemic symptoms of colorectal cancer include:. During stage 1 of colon cancer , no obvious signs or symptoms may have developed. As symptoms develop, they may vary depending on the tumor's size and location in the large intestine. Early symptoms may affect only the colon and result in changes in bowel habits.
As the cancer grows, it may spread, producing systemic symptoms that affect your whole body, such as fatigue and weight loss. Colorectal cancer might not cause symptoms right away.
In fact, many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused by other problems, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. It's important to get checked if you have any of following problems. In many cases, people who have these symptoms do not have cancer. But you should talk to your doctor if you have any of them so the cause can be found and treated.
Screening can even prevent some colorectal cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called polyps. If you have symptoms that might be caused by colorectal cancer or if a screening test shows something not normal, your doctor will want to do more testing to find the cause.
Your doctor will ask about your medical history to learn about possible risk factors , including check for symptoms and. It's important to know your family history. You might be able to have a virtual visit to talk with your doctor about symptoms or risk factors that might be worrying you. But, depending on your symptoms, your doctor might want you to schedule an in-person visit so you can be examined. As part of a physical exam, your doctor will carefully feel your abdomen for masses or enlarged organs, and also examine the rest of your body.
You may also have a digital rectal exam DRE. During this test, the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any abnormal areas. Other tests, such as MRI scans, x-rays and blood tests may also be done to look at how big the cancer is and whether it has spread. If you have colon or rectal cancer, treatment depends on which type of cancer it is, how big it is, and whether it has spread.
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In general, colon cancer begins when healthy cells in the colon develop changes mutations in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains a set of instructions that tell a cell what to do.
Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But when a cell's DNA is damaged and becomes cancerous, cells continue to divide — even when new cells aren't needed.
As the cells accumulate, they form a tumor. With time, the cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy normal tissue nearby. And cancerous cells can travel to other parts of the body to form deposits there metastasis.
Doctors recommend that people with an average risk of colon cancer consider colon cancer screening around age But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner. Several screening options exist — each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Talk about your options with your doctor, and together you can decide which tests are appropriate for you. You can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer by making changes in your everyday life.
Take steps to:. Some medications have been found to reduce the risk of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. For instance, some evidence links a reduced risk of polyps and colon cancer to regular use of aspirin or aspirin-like drugs. But it's not clear what dose and what length of time would be needed to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Taking aspirin daily has some risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. These options are generally reserved for people with a high risk of colon cancer.
There isn't enough evidence to recommend these medications to people who have an average risk of colon cancer. If you have an increased risk of colon cancer, discuss your risk factors with your doctor to determine whether preventive medications are safe for you. Colon cancer care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
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