According to a new study, several symptoms of colorectal cancer can be identified at an early stage. One of them would be particularly careful, which would be a sign of the development of the disease in the coming months.
The cancer colorectalalso known as colon and rectum cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the colon (the main part of the big intestine) and the rectum (the terminal part of the big intestine, just before the anus). Every year, it affects more than 47,000 people in France (including around 26,000 men and 21,000 women), according to the National Cancer Institute. Nearly 17,000 people are died each year.
According to a new study, published in the journal JAMA Network Openthis cancer type is increasing sharply in Americans under the age of 50. We then speak of colorectal cancer with early (EOCRC), which is defined as a diagnosis made before the fifties. The increase is such that it is considered today as the deadliest cancer men under the age of 50 and the second in women of the same age (after breast cancer).
A risk 5 times higher to develop colon cancer
Scientists who carried out the study, researchers from 6 different countries, have reached this conclusion after having analyzed data of more than 80 studies relating to nearly 25 million patients under the age of 50 with colorectal cancer. According to them, better recognition of signs and symptoms associated with EOCRC could facilitate a faster diagnosis and have an impact on clinical results.
The research team therefore used the data to determine the most common symptoms, the signs that most expose patients at the risk of colon cancer and the time for patients to obtain a diagnosis of colon cancer. They found that rectal bleeding or the presence of blood in the stoolwere linked to a 5 multiplication of the risk of early appearance of colon cancer, making it the most important risk factor. “The time elapsed between the presentation of the sign or the symptom and the diagnosis of early colorectal cancer was often between 4 and 6 months”explained Joshua Demb, the main author of the study and epidemiologist specializing in cancer research.
These other symptoms of colorectal cancer not to neglect
By analyzing the data from the 80 studies, the researchers have listed 17 symptoms associated with the EOCRC that must be monitored at all costs. They found that 45 % of patients with early colorectal cancer presented rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Besides this sign, which remains the most common, they also noticed that 40 % of people suffered from abdominal pain. In addition, 27 % saw their intestinal habits change (they had more or less stool).
Weight loss was also observed in 17 % of patients, while 15 % of them lost their appetite. In addition, 14% felt constipated and the same proportion assured suffering from abdominal distension or bloating. Diarrhea and sudden crises concerned 12% of people. Tenesm (sudden need to go to the saddle), intestinal anemia and occlusion have affected 11% of them. Finally, 9% said they had experienced intestinal perforations, and 8% spoke of fatigue, deepens or vomiting and abdominal mass. Rectal pains were mentioned by 5% of patients.