Approximately 1 in 26 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Despite this, many women may mistake early warning signs of CRC for menopause-related issues or other digestive conditions.
In a recent news release, New Brunswick, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health highlighted the importance of early CRC screening for women.
Here are five takeaways from the report:
1. Many critical early warning signs of CRC, such as changes in bowel habits, bloating and fatigue, are mistaken as common gastrointestinal issues or menopause-related health changes. This can lead to delayed diagnosis or more advanced disease at the time of detection.
2. “Women often assume their symptoms are related to diet, stress or hormonal changes, which can delay seeking medical attention,” says Brendan Scully, MD colorectal cancer surgeon at RWJBarnabas Health. “The earlier we detect colorectal cancer, the more treatment options are available, including minimally invasive surgical techniques that lead to better outcomes and faster recovery with a higher chance of cure.”
3. Certain risk factors can increase a woman’s risk of developing colorectal cancer, including:
- Being over 50 years old
- A family history of CRC or genetic syndromes associated with CRC
- A diet high in red and processed meats.
- Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption or lack of physical activity
- Inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis or a history of colon polyps
4. Early warning signs that women should take seriously as possible signs of CRC may include:
- Persistent diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool lasting more than a few days
- Presence of blood in the stool
- Cramping, pain, bloating or discomfort in the lower abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Unexplained anemia
5. Even with careful symptom monitoring, screening remains necessary to catch CRC in early stages of development.
“Most patients, approximately 70%, will not have any symptoms early in the disease, which highlights the importance of screening prior to the onset of symptoms,” said Dr. Scully. “Those with symptoms, such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits should undergo diagnostic colonoscopy, even if not at the age for screening.”
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