Kirsten Jackson, who goes by “The IBS Dietitian,” has observed a concerning trend: many people ignore their gastrointestinal issues, which can have alarming consequences.
She mentions that frequently, individuals self-diagnose conditions like IBS and forgo necessary medical consultations. This can lead to missing critical diagnoses, including cancer. Jackson emphasizes that people often endure symptoms for extended periods—sometimes months—before seeking help. This delay can mean the difference between life-saving treatment and a terminal diagnosis.
The confusion between symptoms of bowel or colorectal cancer and IBS is, unfortunately, common because both issues can coexist. She shared a case of a client who dismissed their symptoms as typical IBS, only to later find out they had colorectal cancer.
Dr. Andrew Dam, a gastroenterologist at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, has seen similar cases where both patients and even healthcare providers mistakenly attribute new gastrointestinal symptoms to stress. He considers this misattribution a major concern in his practice.
Dr. Dianne Pearre, a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center in Burbank, California, has also noticed this among her younger patients. Many express regret for not seeking medical advice sooner.
Statistical evidence supports these apprehensions, with reports indicating that one in three adults cannot identify a single symptom of bowel cancer, despite the fact that almost 1.5 million people in the U.S. live with the condition.
To help people recognize potential warning signs and seek treatment early, medical professionals want to highlight commonly overlooked signs of bowel cancer, including misattributions and appropriate timelines for seeing a doctor.
Unexplained Weight Loss
While society often celebrates weight loss, unexplained weight loss should raise flags. Jackson notes people often mistake it for stress or inadequate eating, which can lead to severe consequences if ignored. When someone has cancer, their metabolism may increase, resulting in unexpected weight loss.
Dam agrees, explaining that this symptom frequently gets misidentified as merely stress, dietary factors, or aging. It’s often one of the first signs that might go unrecognized, he adds, stressing that significant weight loss, particularly when accompanied by fatigue or changes in bowel habits, should prompt medical evaluation.
Black or Dark Stools
Not all dark stools are just dietary-related. Jackson warns that black stools can indicate bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. In practice, dark stools are a key yet often missed indicator of colorectal cancer, according to Dr. Pearre.
Rectal Bleeding
This symptom is frequently mistaken for hemorrhoids, particularly if the blood appears bright red. Although hemorrhoids are common, Dam clarifies that persistent rectal bleeding is a classic symptom of colorectal cancer and warrants prompt evaluation.
Patients should consult a doctor for any bleeding lasting more than a week or if the blood mixes within stool rather than just appearing on toilet paper, particularly if accompanied by fatigue or anemia.
Gastrointestinal Changes
Changes in bowel habits, such as unexplained constipation or diarrhea, can indicate a more serious illness, including bowel cancer. Dam points out that while IBS is prevalent, its symptoms can overlap with those of early-stage colorectal cancer.
These symptoms can also manifest as gradual bloating or discomfort, which, if persistent or occurring after age 45, should be evaluated by a professional.
Overnight Symptoms
Sudden gastrointestinal symptoms can be another critical warning sign. Jackson explains that these abrupt changes often imply an inflammatory condition, whereas IBS symptoms typically don’t appear overnight. However, such symptoms do not instantly mean cancer, as other factors could be at play.
Ultimately, it’s natural to resist the idea of facing a potential cancer diagnosis. People often dismiss symptoms or convince themselves they are too young for such a condition. Yet, healthcare experts like Dam encourage taking concerns seriously, especially given the increasing rates of colorectal cancer among younger adults. Ignoring symptoms or mislabeling them as benign can lead to serious risks down the line.
