Be honest for a sec: How often do you look at the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after you go to the bathroom? If your answer is "never," it might be time to start. That's because colorectal cancer rates—a. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that , people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in , and that 50, will die from it—but it's also highly preventable with proper screening. Because early detection is key, the American Cancer Society is now recommending screenings begin at age 45—five years sooner than the current recommendation of age Early diagnosis is often challenging for young people, Cohen says.
In the meantime, be on the lookout for these common colon cancer symptoms in women. Everyone gets constipated occasionally , but prolonged problems pooping can indicate a blockage in the colon. As it progresses to the end of the colon, it firms up. But it's not just constipation: Diarrhea that lasts more than a few days should also set off warning bells as a colon cancer symptom in women, adds Ganju.
It's normal to feel full or bloated after a big meal, but if you constantly feel like your stomach never empties out all the way like, you never feel relief after a big BM , it's time to see your doctor or a gastroenterologist, says Cohen. This also goes for chronic, abdominal discomfort like bloating, cramps, or gas. If the pains are unfamiliar to you, your M.
Size and shape definitely matter here: If there's something blocking your colon, your stool is forced into a narrow, ribbon-like shape to get past it. So if you look in the toilet and your poop looks kind of "stringy," know that's not normal and it's a safe bet to get checked out.
