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Early Signs of Colon Cancer in Men and Women
By Raveena M Prakash
Colon cancer is the deadliest yet preventable cancer in men and women. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of death across the world. The primary causes of colon cancer in men and women are quite similar. However, there are some differences in the type and location of cancer development in both genders. Understanding an early sign of colon cancers in men and women is life-changing to life-saving! From sudden weight loss to minor changes in bowel habits, your body sends some signs before the health conditions start to rise.
In this article, we’ll discover more about the difference in colon cancer in men and women, risk factors, treatments, and prevention tips.
What is Colon Cancer
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, starts in your colon (the large intestine), which is a long tube that carries digested food to the rectum and takes it out of the body. This cancer develops from certain polyps or growths occurring in the inner lining of the colon. If this type of cancer won’t get any timely treatment or attention then it might spread into other areas of the body.
There are several types of screening tests that are used to perform on any suspected patients to diagnose the presence of precancerous polyps before they can turn into cancerous tumors.
Colon cancer in men vs. women
Colorectal cancer is more common in men than in women. Its mortality rate is up to 40% higher in men when compared to women. However, many studies have shown that women often develop this cancer on the right side of their colon, while men usually develop or are diagnosed with this type of cancer at a later stage, and it can be more aggressive in nature.
While the exact causes of colon cancer development in both men and women and its connection with these gender-based differences are not clear yet. Some studies claim that men are more prone to developing this cancer due to their exposure to lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and overconsumption of red meat and processed meat when compared to women.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
The symptoms of this cancer are usually common in both men and women. However, there are some significant differences in terms of the formation of cancer in women. For example, women often develop right-sided colon tumors. Additionally, they also detect BRAF-mutated tumors.
The common symptoms of colorectal cancer in men and women are:
- Blood in the stool (poop): If you experience red or dark-colored blood in the stool or after wiping, you should consult with the doctor. However, in some cases, the presence of blood is not considered as you are diagnosed with this type of cancer.
- Experiencing rectal bleeding: This is another sign of colon cancer, or some of it can happen due to hemorrhoids or anal fissures as well.
- Sudden weight loss: Some patients might experience an unexplainable weight loss; this often happens suddenly.
- Unexplainable fatigue: This is another symptom of this type of cancer. People with this type of cancer often experience weakness and tiredness without any reason.
- Anemia: One of the most common symptoms of this type of cancer is having anemia.
- Severe abdominal pain: Some people might experience severe abdominal pain, and some might also experience vomiting with abdominal pain.
- Bloating: Another sign of this cancer is patients experiencing bloating. However, these symptoms are often considered non-specific in women. Women who are menstruating mostly feel these signs.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer
There are some lifestyle factors that are also known as the risk factor for this type of cancer. The risk factor of this cancer in people can be easily prevented by adapting some healthy lifestyle habits. These risk factors can often be controlled and modified with healthy lifestyle choices.
These may include:
- Smoking habits: People have a habit of using tobacco products, such as smoking cigarettes, which increase the risk of developing this type of cancer.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: In males, an excessive use of alcohol might increase the risk of this cancer. Even moderate consumption of alcohol often increases the risk of this cancer.
- Overweight or obesity: Eating a diet of high-calorie foods might affect or increase the risk of developing this type of cancer.
- Use of red and processed meats: People with an excessive consumption of red and processed meats might increase the risk of this cancer.
- Lack of physical activity or exercise: People who lack physical activity or exercise may increase the risk of developing this cancer.
Treatments
There are different types of treatment methods used for the cure of this cancer. In some cases, your oncologist might combine several treatment methods based on the colon cancer staging and the individual health conditions of the patient.
- Cancer surgery: Performing surgery helps to remove any type of cancerous tumors that haven’t spread to other body parts. There are some types of cancer surgeries used for the treatment of this type of cancer, these may include:
- Polypectomy: This type of cancer surgery is mostly used to remove any types of cancerous polyps in the body.
- Partial colectomy: Partial colectomy, also known as colon resection surgery, is often performed by a surgical oncologist to remove a section of colon that contains a tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue.
- Surgical resection with colostomy: In this surgical procedure, the surgeon might remove a section of your colon that contains a tumor. In this procedure, they can’t connect with healthy colon sections. However, they perform a colostomy. The bowel of the patient is moved to an opening in the abdominal wall so it can collect the stool in the bag.
- Radiofrequency ablation: In this process, the doctor might use heat to destroy cancerous cells in the affected area.
In some cases, healthcare professionals use cancer surgeries with adjuvant therapy. This type of cancer treatment is often performed before or after the surgery. There are some types of cancer treatments that may include:
- Chemotherapy: This treatment is often used to destroy any type of cancer cells with its powerful drugs given intravenously or in pill form. This treatment is mostly used to reduce and ease the symptoms of this cancer.
- Targeted therapy: This treatment mostly targets the genes, proteins, and some types of colon tissues helps the growth of this cancer in patients.
Tips for colorectal cancer prevention
The development of colorectal cancer in people can’t be prevented. However, there are some tips that help to prevent the formation of this type of cancer in people with an increased risk of this cancer. Adopting these tips can reduce the risk of developing this cancer.
These may include:
- Avoid the use of tobacco products
- Stop smoking
- Maintain healthy weight
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Follow regular screening tests
- Track about your family medical history
Consult Today
The symptoms of colorectal cancer in men and women seem quite similar. However, there are some things that are different, such as the types and location of this cancer development in men vs. women. One of the common factors of this cancer in men and women is that it won’t show any symptoms in the early stages. If you want to get the best treatment outcomes in this cancer, which often includes proper screening for the aim of getting early diagnosis of this cancer.
At Oncare, we understand the value of cancer awareness, timely treatments, and the importance of early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. We provide proper guidance before and after any major treatments. We offer awareness about cancer and its symptoms in women and men and how they differ from each other.
If you or any loved ones of yours are diagnosed with colon cancer and then visit Oncare Cancer Center, book an appointment with our cancer specialists today! Get an estimated cost of cancer treatments today!
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some lifestyle factors for colon cancer.
These may include:
- Smoking habits
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Overweight or obesity
- Excessive consumption of red meat and processed meats
- Lack of physical activity or exercise
There are some symptoms of colon cancer; these may include:
- Vomiting
- Sudden weight loss
- Fatigue
- Experiencing shortness of breath
- Bloated stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Blood in the stool (poop)
There are some medical conditions that might increase the risk of colon cancer. These may include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Inherited health conditions
- Family history of colon cancer
- An history of polyps in the family
- Large number of polyps
There are several tests used to diagnose colon cancer in people.
These may include:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- Colonoscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Virtual colonoscopy