5 early signs of colorectal cancer you should not ignore

When it comes to our health, it is sometimes all too easy to dismiss minor pain or discomfort, as well as peculiar symptoms as nothing to worry about. But sometimes, these small changes can be the early signs of something much more serious.

This is a lesson that Radwah Oda, a single mother, learned in the most challenging way possible. Her journey on being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, which she bravely shares with her online followers, is a call to all of us to pay closer attention to our bodies, especially when they are trying to tell us something important.

Bowel or colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Australia, affecting approximately 15,000 Australians annually. In 2024 alone, it claimed the lives of around 5,000.

Here at YourLifeChoices, we believe in empowering our readers with knowledge that can potentially save lives. So let us delve into Radwah’s experience and unpack the early warning signs that should never be ignored.

1. Changes in the stools’ appearance

Radwah first noticed that her stools had become thin and pencil-like, a change she initially attributed to constipation.

However, persistent alterations in stool shape, particularly if they become flat or ribbon-like, can indicate a narrowing or obstruction in the bowel, which is often associated with colorectal cancer.

2. Blood in the stool

While the presence of blood in one’s stool can sometimes point to a less serious condition, it is also a classic symptom of bowel cancer.

A 2024 study emphasised that blood in the stool is one of the top two symptoms of early-onset colorectal cancer. 

man on toilet pooping
Do you sometimes feel like your bowel is not fully emptied?

3. Never feeling satisfied using the toilet

Radwah also experienced a persistent feeling that her bowel was not fully emptying when she used the toilet. However, she dismissed it as constipation at first.

‘Each time I would use the restroom, I would feel like I still needed to go. I would keep pushing and pushing but nothing would come out. I was never satisfied,’ she explained.

This feeling, called tenesmus, is a common system of colorectal cancer. It can be caused by a tumour in the rectum or lower bowel, which creates a false sensation of needing to poo even when the bowel is empty.

4. Pain on the right side

While abdominal discomfort is a recognised symptom of bowel cancer, pain in other areas of the body can indicate that the cancer has metastasised.

For Radwah, pain in her lower right side near her breast was a sign that the cancer had spread to her liver.

5. Always feeling tired

Despite getting enough sleep, Radwah was plagued by extreme chronic fatigue, which she initially wrote off as an adjustment to working from home during the pandemic.

In reality, this fatigue was a result of cancer cells depleting her body’s energy, and potentially due to iron-deficiency anaemia from blood loss within the digestive tract.

Other symptoms Radwah experienced leading up to her diagnosis in August 2021 include sudden weight loss, loss of appetite, and constant stomach. She mistook these for a severe stomach bug, not realising they were symptoms of stage 4 colorectal cancer.

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is best to consult a healthcare professional.

We invite you our YourLifeChoices readers to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Have you or someone close to you encountered similar symptoms? How did you respond? Your stories could encourage others to take action and potentially save lives.

Also read: Lung cancer signs you need to know–as new vaccine announced

Floralyn Teodoro
Floralyn Teodoro
Floralyn covers different topics such as health, lifestyle, and home improvement, among many others. She is also passionate about travel and mindful living.

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