Changes in stool, such as blood in the stool and looser, more frequent stools, can be caused by colon cancer. Abdominal pain is one of the many symptoms that people with colon cancer may experience.
These symptoms don’t always indicate colon cancer; they can also be found in other gastrointestinal disorders. It’s also critical to keep in mind that some patients with colon cancer may not exhibit any symptoms at all and that they may have normal-looking, healthy stools.
This post will explain the connection between colon cancer and bowel movements, what symptoms to watch for, and what to do if you suspect colon cancer.
Colon Cancer and Poop: Early Signs
A change in bowel movements or stool is one of the early indicators of colon cancer. Colon cancer-related stools may appear thinner and differ from normal stools in terms of color and consistency.
Unexplained changes in stool appearance or movement should probably raise concerns about colon cancer more than any other symptom, especially if the symptoms increase or continue.
The following are a few mild indicators of colon cancer in its early stages:
- Narrow “pencil” stools: Caused by the narrowing of the intestinal passage as the tumor starts to grow
- Pain with defecation: Also known as dyschezia, a symptom commonly associated with rectal cancer
- A sensation of being unable to empty the bowel: Also known as tenesmus, commonly seen with early-stage rectal cancer
- Rectal bleeding: More common with rectal cancer or cancer in the lower bowel
- Abdominal pain: Caused when localized inflammation triggers pain receptors called visceral nociceptors
- Fatigue: Due to intestinal bleeding, the loss of red blood cells, and the development of anemia
Poop Changes in Regional Colon Cancer
Colon cancer in stage three has spread to neighboring lymph nodes. As the tumor begins to spread into deeper layers of the intestinal tissues and the intestinal tract, known as the lumen, continues to constrict, changes in bowel habits and excrement tend to become more noticeable.
The following extra symptoms are frequently indicative of colon cancer progression:
- Constipation: Due in part to increasing bowel obstruction
- Diarrhea: Caused by an overflow of intestinal fluid around a partial obstruction
- Alternating constipation and diarrhea: A more telling sign of colon cancer
- Blood in stool: Also known as hematochezia, which can be bright red if the tumor is near the rectum or dark red or maroon if higher up in the colon
- Tenesmus: Can occur as colon cancer progresses due to the persistent and increasing inflammation
- Abdominal bloating and cramps: Due in part to the inability to pass gas when the bowel is obstructed
- Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia: Occurs in around 48% of people with colon cancer
Bowel obstruction, either partial or total, may eventually result from the formation of scar tissue and strictures. Even though it’s not always visible in the feces itself, bleeding is typically more severe.
Poop Changes in Advanced Colon Cancer
The spread of the cancer to distant organs, commonly known as metastasis, is a characteristic of stage 4 colon cancer. As the intestinal blockage and bleeding develop, this stage of cancer, which is the most advanced, may show more obvious symptoms.
Poop may appear viscous and dark at this time. This is more frequently observed in cases of right-sided malignancy and is also referred to as melena. It occurs when oxygen and hemoglobin in the blood react during the blood’s lengthy journey to the rectum.
Other symptoms can include:
- Nausea and vomiting: Generally seen when obstruction becomes severe
- Unexplained weight loss: A common consequence of advanced cancer in which systemic inflammation triggers muscle and weight loss as well as the loss of appetite
Bowel perforation may occasionally happen as a result of the tissues becoming overly strained and eventually rupturing. When cancer spreads to the liver, chest, bone, and other common metastases, additional symptoms may appear.
While symptoms are more common in those with stage 4 colon cancer, not everyone experiences them. In reality, many patients with metastatic colon cancer may be completely asymptomatic if there is no blockage, perforation, or bleeding.
Summary
The color, content, and frequency of your bowel movements might all change as a result of colon cancer. Blood in the stool, flat or narrow stools, diarrhea, and more frequent bowel movements are some examples of these alterations. Poop can get viscous and black in its later stages.
Other gastrointestinal disorders can also cause changes in bowel habits and feces consistency. You should always have these symptoms examined by a healthcare professional, even though they aren’t necessarily an indication of cancer. If detected in its early stages, colon cancer is very curable.
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