Colorectal cancer, once considered primarily a disease of older adults, is increasingly being diagnosed in younger individuals – according to the Cancer Research Institute, about one in five cases is now detected in people under 55 years old.
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Dr. Derek Ebner, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic specializing in colorectal cancer prevention, identified three symptoms he classifies as “less obvious” warning signs of this disease, according to Newsweek. What are they?
Dizziness
Dizziness, weakness, or unusual fatigue may not seem like signs of a digestive system disorder, but according to D. Ebner, sometimes this can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia caused by the disease. “In colorectal cancer, bleeding can be very slow, so blood loss may not be visible in the stool,” he told Newsweek.
As a result, a person may begin to feel exhausted performing activities that were previously routine, as well as experience weakness or dizziness. “These symptoms are easily attributed to stress, poor sleep, aging, or poor physical condition,” said D. Ebner. “For some patients, anemia becomes the first sign that helps establish the diagnosis.”
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath is another symptom that many people would not intuitively associate with colorectal cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, iron deficiency anemia can develop when the body lacks iron – most often due to blood loss. When iron is deficient, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin – a protein found in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.
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With reduced oxygen levels, people may feel fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, especially during physical exertion. Since these symptoms can develop gradually, they are often attributed to other causes before the true problem is identified.
Persistent feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
Colorectal cancer can also disrupt normal bowel function; these disturbances may be mistakenly attributed to more common digestive problems. While persistent diarrhea and blood in the stool are well-known symptoms, according to D. Ebner, some people feel the need to have a bowel movement again even after just using the toilet.
“In medicine, this is sometimes called tenesmus or incomplete evacuation; this condition can be mistaken for constipation, hemorrhoids, or another benign bowel problem,” he said. “A persistent new sensation that the bowel is not emptying normally requires attention.”
When to see a doctor
The presence of one of these symptoms does not mean a person has colorectal cancer. Dizziness, shortness of breath, and changes in bowel habits can have various causes, many of which are much more common and less serious. However, any new symptom that persists, worsens, or is difficult to explain is worth discussing with a doctor. Early diagnosis remains one of the most effective measures in treating colorectal cancer, and identifying possible warning signs earlier can help ensure people receive the necessary care as soon as possible.
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