Why Colorectal Cancer is Often Only Caught in Late Stages
Doctors Say Patients are “Embarrassed” to Talk About Symptoms
Normally, we prefer our bowels to keep it low-key. But experts say that silence is exactly what allows colorectal cancer to fly under the radar and turn deadly.
“Some patients reach stage 4 without noticeable symptoms,” Dr. Parul Shukla, regional chief of colorectal surgery for Northwell Westchester, told The Post. “By the time symptoms appear — such as blood in the stool — the cancer is usually quite advanced.”
A Silent Killer
Colorectal cancer is often called a “silent killer,” partly because the early-stage symptoms can be mistaken for other conditions, according to Dr. Poppy Addison, colorectal surgeon at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital.
“Symptoms can include a change to your normal bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation, or a change in the stool size or color, particularly if the stool becomes bloody or dark,” Addison said. “Other symptoms can be vaguer, including weight loss you didn’t intend, abdominal pain or fatigue.”
Patients Misattribute Symptoms
When patients do experience these early signs, Shukla says many dismiss them as indigestion, hemorrhoids, or diet-related issues. As a result, doctors may delay further testing, missing the chance for early intervention.
“Women may misattribute anemia to heavy periods,” he added. “In some cases, undiagnosed colorectal cancer is the actual cause, leading to a dangerous missed diagnosis.”
Doctors Say Patients are Embarrassed
Doctors say patients are “embarrassed” to talk about symptoms that could be a sign of early colon cancer. sirichai – stock.adobe.com
“I’m seeing patients in their mid-20s with aggressive cancer,” Dr. Mark Soliman, a colorectal surgeon, said in a recent video on SurgeOn, an app that acts like a social media platform for surgeons to share skills and advice with each other.
“As a surgeon, it is heartbreaking to witness because it is 100% preventable,” he said. “But people are too embarrassed to talk to their doctor about their bowel movements or the color of their stool.”
Treatment and Prevention
If you experience any of these symptoms, Addison recommends speaking with your doctor right away, as colorectal cancer is considered highly treatable when caught early.
In fact, more than 90% of people treated for early-stage colorectal cancer are alive five years after diagnosis, according to the National Cancer Institute.
That number drops to 15% or less once the disease has spread to distant organs beyond the colon or rectum.
Much more pleasant than a colonoscopy.
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Conclusion
Colorectal cancer is often caught in late stages due to the silence surrounding symptoms and the embarrassment associated with discussing them. It is crucial for patients to speak with their doctors about any changes in their bowel habits or stool color. Early detection and prevention can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality rates.
FAQs
Q: What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
A: Symptoms can include changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, changes in stool size or color, and blood in the stool. Other symptoms may include weight loss, abdominal pain, or fatigue.
Q: Why are some patients embarrassed to discuss their symptoms?
A: Patients may be embarrassed to discuss their bowel movements or stool color, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Q: What is the best way to detect colorectal cancer?
A: Colorectal cancer screening can be done with a stool-based test, blood test, or a visual exam of the colon or rectum, such as a colonoscopy.
Q: When should I start screening for colorectal cancer?
A: The American Cancer Society recommends that average-risk adults start screening at age 45, with a colonoscopy considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening in the US.
