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Colorectal Cancer
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Colorectal Cancer signs, follow-up guidance, risk factors, testing information, and trusted cancer resources from PINC Foundation.
Colorectal cancer can develop without early symptoms, which is why screening matters. Bowel changes or bleeding should also be evaluated at any age.
Rates have risen in adults younger than 50. Young age does not rule it out. Average-risk screening commonly begins at age 45, while family history and certain conditions may call for earlier testing.
• Increasing age
• Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps
• Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Smoking, heavy alcohol use, inactivity, and excess body weight
• Increasing age
• Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps
• Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Smoking, heavy alcohol use, inactivity, and excess body weight
• Blood in or on the stool, or rectal bleeding
• A lasting change in bowel habits or stool shape
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating that persists
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, weakness, or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss or a feeling the bowel does not empty
Report rectal bleeding, black stools, persistent bowel changes, or unexplained anemia promptly. Heavy bleeding, fainting, severe pain, or vomiting with abdominal swelling needs urgent care.
• Blood in or on the stool, or rectal bleeding
• A lasting change in bowel habits or stool shape
• Abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating that persists
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, weakness, or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss or a feeling the bowel does not empty
Report rectal bleeding, black stools, persistent bowel changes, or unexplained anemia promptly. Heavy bleeding, fainting, severe pain, or vomiting with abdominal swelling needs urgent care.
Several effective screening options are available for average-risk adults, generally beginning at age 45. A positive non-colonoscopy screening test must be followed by colonoscopy. Symptoms require diagnostic evaluation, not a screening test alone.
• Stool tests or colonoscopy for screening
• Colonoscopy for symptoms, with biopsy of abnormal tissue
• Blood count to look for anemia
• CT or other imaging if cancer is diagnosed
• Tumor testing for biomarkers and inherited risk when appropriate
Several effective screening options are available for average-risk adults, generally beginning at age 45. A positive non-colonoscopy screening test must be followed by colonoscopy. Symptoms require diagnostic evaluation, not a screening test alone.
• Stool tests or colonoscopy for screening
• Colonoscopy for symptoms, with biopsy of abnormal tissue
• Blood count to look for anemia
• CT or other imaging if cancer is diagnosed
• Tumor testing for biomarkers and inherited risk when appropriate
• Do my symptoms require a colonoscopy?
• When should screening begin for my risk level?
• Does my family history suggest genetic counseling?
• How will we follow up if the first test is negative but symptoms continue?
• Do my symptoms require a colonoscopy?
• When should screening begin for my risk level?
• Does my family history suggest genetic counseling?
• How will we follow up if the first test is negative but symptoms continue?
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
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