Colon cancer: These symptoms are warning signs
Created: 03/08/2022, 14:47
By: Sophia Lother
Passers-by walk through a walk-in model of the intestine in Munich in 2009.
The representations of growths and polyps are intended to raise awareness of the topic of colon cancer.
(Archive photo) © Peter Kneffel/dpa
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of tumor in Germany.
The cancer often develops undetected.
What symptoms to look out for.
Frankfurt – Colorectal cancer often develops insidiously.
This cancer is very common in Germany.
In women, it is one of the most common tumor diagnoses after breast cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in 2018.
Prostate and lung cancer are more common in men.
The current evaluation by the Robert Koch Institute has examined, among other things, how often an intestinal tumor occurs within cancer deaths.
This shows how dangerous colon cancer really is.
If detected early, however, the chances of a cure for colorectal cancer* are promising.
It is therefore all the more important to take possible symptoms seriously.
Percentage of the most common tumor locations in all cancer deaths in Germany in 2018 | |
---|---|
women | Men |
mammary gland (17.7%) | lungs (22.8%) |
lungs (15.8%) | Prostate (12.0%) |
Intestine (10.8%) | Intestine (10.8%) |
Pancreas (8.7%) | Pancreas (7.4%) |
Source: RKI |
Colorectal cancer: What symptoms can indicate cancer
The problem with colorectal cancer: it often grows slowly and is difficult for sufferers to detect, especially in the early stages.
If the tumor finally becomes noticeable, the symptoms can also be triggered by other intestinal diseases.
The cancer information service of the German Cancer Research Center (dkfz) has listed the following symptoms of colon cancer:
Changes:
Particularly frequent urge to defecate, constipation or an alternation between constipation and diarrhea.
Abnormalities:
Visible blood in the stool, mucus admixtures.
Stool that is particularly foul-smelling or pencil-thin.
Other digestive problems:
Frequent nausea or feelings of fullness despite eating little.
Strong and frequent bowel noises and flatulence, as well as unwanted bowel movements with flatulence.
Pain:
Pain and cramping abdominal pain, independent of bowel movements.
The dkfz also points out a number of non-specific symptoms that apparently have nothing to do with the intestines at first.
In general, “an
unusual reduction in performance
and
frequent tiredness
” can also indicate tumor diseases.
Night sweats
and
repeated low-grade fevers
could also be
signs of cancer.
As the cancer progresses, other symptoms may appear.
The frequently occurring bloody stool can lead to anemia, for example
,
explains the dkfz.
Those affected are then pale and often tired.
Strong weight loss is also possible.
If the tumor continues to grow,
intestinal obstruction
may occur.
Colorectal cancer: These groups of people are at particularly high risk for this type of tumor
But how is colon cancer caused and in which groups of people is the risk particularly high?
According to the MSD Manual, different factors can play a role:
Abnormal growths (polyps) in the colon
Due to intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease
Strongly one-sided diet with a lot of fat, meat and industrially processed foods, plus little fiber
Family members who already have colon cancer or abnormal growths
Because colorectal cancer can also be hereditary, early detection* and raising awareness among family members and relatives is particularly important.
Eating habits also play an important role.
Recently, studies have also suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be a variable in colorectal cancer*.
Colon cancer: what to do if symptoms appear
The German Cancer Research Center recommends that you see your family doctor first if you have any signs or symptoms of bowel cancer.
Other possible contacts are specialists in internal medicine with a specialization in diseases of the digestive tract, so-called gastroenterologists.
(Sophia Lother)
*fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
The information given in this article does not replace a visit to a doctor.
Only experts can make the right diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy.
The intake of medication or dietary supplements should be discussed with a doctor beforehand.