7 Colon Cancer Symptoms Women Over 50 Should Never Ignore, Plus When To Get Screened
Learn what increases your cancer risk and the foods that help keep your colon healthy
When your large intestine, or colon, is working smoothly, you hardly think about it. But when it isn’t functioning properly, it can create a host of problems far beyond constipation or diarrhea. It can actually lead to colon cancer, an increasingly common health danger, but one that is highly treatable if caught early. Keep reading to learn about the most common colon cancer symptoms in women and how to keep yourself healthy for years to come.
Rates of colon cancer are on the rise
The large intestine plays an important role in our overall health: It digests food, moves waste, absorbs water and even helps produce key nutrients including vitamins B and K. But this multitasking organ is also a source of growing concern in the medical community. Colon cancer is the number two leading cause of cancer death in the nation, behind lung cancer. And as early-onset cases rise, experts predict colon cancer will become the number one cause (for people under age 50) by 2030.
For this reason, “major health organizations now recommend that average-risk individuals begin regular colorectal cancer screening at age 45 rather than 50,” says David D. Clarke, MD, board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology and affiliated with Oregon Health & Science University.
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There is some good news with all this testing. “As more people get screened, they are catching more cancers early or in precancerous states—and removing those polyps—so it never turns into cancer,” says Lynn Durham, EdD, CEO of Georgia CORE (Center for Oncology Research and Education).
7 colon cancer symptoms in women to watch for
To increase your odds of spotting colon cancer early, Durham says women shouldn’t ignore the following symptoms:
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Difficulty passing gas
- Chronic fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Anemia
- Blood in stool
- Stool that’s oddly narrow or pencil-thin
To reinforce what to look for, Durham’s health organization just launched a visual art campaign to help educate people about the symptoms of colon cancer. The project, aptly called Weird Looking Stools, placed dozens of artfully-designed bar stools in various restaurants in Georgia to highlight different warning signs of the disease.
For example, spiky bar stools represent the colon cancer symptom of abdominal pain. And bar stools coated in a sickly yellow-green shade of paint represent the symptom of anemia.
Why women should speak up about colon cancer symptoms
Unfortunately, medical gaslighting happens with colon cancer cases. So if you experience any of the above symptoms, it’s important to speak up and find doctors who will listen.
Durham recalls a heartbreaking case: a 41-year-old woman and mother-of-four who recently passed away from colon cancer after doctors dismissed her initial symptoms. Durham shares, “The story we hear all the time, unfortunately, is that [women will] go to the doctor, they’ll have blood in their stool, and the doctor will say, ‘You had a baby. It’s probably just hemorrhoids. Don’t worry about it. You’re too young to have colon cancer.’ Well, a year later, she finally gets a colonoscopy and she has stage four rectal cancer.” (Learn more about common misdiagnosed conditions in women here.)
Durham adds, “It’s maddening. It’s just so frustrating that there are women out there being told, ‘Oh, you’re too young for that, or don’t worry.’”
Ask if you have family history of colon cancer
Speaking to family members, not just doctors, can also increase your survival. It may be taboo to talk about poop and bathroom habits, but it could save your life. Durham, a breast cancer survivor, says, “My mother never talked about stool or breast health or any of those things. It was just too difficult to talk about. But I think things are getting better.” She adds, “Especially with Thanksgiving coming up: You’re going to be with family. Let’s have a conversation about our family history. We need to do it. It’s so important.”
Why are these discussions potentially lifesaving? Durham explains, “If for example, your uncle or your grandfather got colon cancer at age 50, then you should be getting screened at age 40. It should be 10 years prior to when your relative was diagnosed with the disease. So you need to know when they were diagnosed.”
6 colon cancer risk factors
Beyond having a family history, some lifestyle factors can contribute to poor colon function and health, elevating your risk of developing colorectal cancer. They include:
- Chronic dehydration
- Carrying extra belly fat
- Smoking
- Eating lots of red meat
These factors can trigger inflammation in the body that can make you more susceptible to colon cancer. In fact, eating processed meats (such as bacon, deli ham or hot dogs) was found to increase the risk of developing colon cancer by 22 percent, according to University of Texas research.
Early detection of colon cancer symptoms is key
Experts agree that colon cancer is one of the most treatable and survivable cancers when caught early, and there are different ways to test for this type of cancer. “This screening is important because colon cancer often has no early warning signs,” says Dr. Clarke.
If you have no family history, there are at-home kits where you mail in a stool sample. Durham says, “A Cologuard test is good for three years. And a FIT (fecal immunochemical) test is good for one year.”
But, she adds, “the gold standard is a colonoscopy. If you have any family history or you’re at high risk for other reasons, you really need to have a colonoscopy.” That said, not everyone is comfortable with the prep needed or the procedure of getting a full colonoscopy. So Durham says, “We always say the test that gets done is the best test.”
Foods that protect your colon health
Being aware of the early warning signs and getting regular screenings can help catch colon cancer early. And to reduce your risk of developing it in the first place, consider drinking plenty of water and adding the following foods to your diet:
- Whole grains
- Beans and lentils
- Fruits and veggies
- Nuts and seeds
- Healthy fats like olive oil
- Probiotic foods like yogurt
Eating adequate fiber, sometimes called fibermaxxing, plays an important role in colon health. “A diet high in fiber and plant-based foods and low in processed meats remains the most evidence-supported [eating plan] for colorectal cancer prevention,”explains Dr. Clarke. “Fiber is foundational for colon health. It helps move stool through the colon and feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which produce anti-inflammatory compounds and vitamins.”
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