The silent signs of colorectal cancer

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Once a disease reserved for the old, colon cancer rates are spiking among millennials. Some doctors in the US have reported as high as a 50% increase in incidence of the disease from 1994 to 2014. The kicker is that many physically fit, health-conscious individuals are being diagnosed with the disease, in spite of their best efforts.

Detection in the preliminary stages ensures you receive the best treatment and care. If you have colorectal cancer, early intervention is also associated with elevated survival rates.

Intrigued? Then click on to learn about the silent signs of colorectal cancer to watch out for.

Millennial diagnosis

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

According to some doctors, colorectal cancer, which affects the colon and rectum, is on the uptick among the millennial generation (born 1981-1996).

Colorectal cancer

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Colorectal cancer is also known simply as colon cancer. The disease occurs when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control.

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon or rectum. These polyps can become cancerous over time if they're not removed.

Abdominal pain

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

This pressure can cause discomfort or pain, as the tumor invades organs and tissues in the pelvic cavity. However, pelvic pain on its own is not an immediate warning sign. Look for accompanying symptoms.

Fatigue

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

It's been described as a "paralyzing" lack of energy, occurring due to cancer cells diverting energy resources in the body. It's important not to dismiss ongoing feelings of fatigue.

Stool changes

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Strange changes to your stool can be a sign of colon cancer. Constipation, diarrhea, and the stool's color can act as early warning signs, with dark or black stools indicative of possible bleeding in the upper digestive tract.

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Of course, one of the more obvious symptoms is blood in the stool. This is never normal, and you should contact your healthcare provider if it happens. It should be noted, however, that it's also possibly due to something less serious.

Loss of appetite

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

A loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) or more in the space of six months are symptoms of colon cancer to pay attention to.

Risk factors

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Your risk of getting cancer naturally increases with age. However, there are a number of other risk factors, coupled with an increase in the number of younger people falling ill with colon cancer.

Obesity

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Being overweight or obese raises the risk of colorectal cancer in both women and men, although the risk is higher for men.

Heavy alcohol consumption

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is linked to colon cancer. Limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks per day for men and one for women has health benefits, while going completely without will help reduce your susceptibility to a range of undesirable health issues.

Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease need to be especially vigilant about screenings for colorectal cancer, as they are at higher risk than the general population.

Gut microbiome

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

The gut is a complex ecosystem of trillions of beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. Gut immunity plays an important role in overall immunity, and could become impaired due to a number of lifestyle factors including bad diet and a sedentary lifestyle.

Screening

Millennial diagnosis, Colorectal cancer, Abdominal pain, Stool changes, Loss of appetite, Risk factors, Heavy alcohol consumption, Ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, Gut microbiome, Screening

Screening involves a colonoscopy, and the survival rate of this cancer depends on the stage it's found. Due to the general nature of symptoms, in a lot of cases it's quite far along before diagnosis occurs.

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