Couldn’t that bleeding be caused by hemorrhoids? Or maybe those recent nonstop bouts with diarrhea just come with getting older? Don’t count on it. Any bleeding or change in your bowel habits could be a sign of colorectal cancer, and it’s best to get it checked out.

“Bleeding is not normal,” said Dr. Marta Lavery of Aultman General Surgery in a recent appearance on the Health Matters radio program. “The No. 1 thing I see is patients who blame bleeding on hemorrhoids, and I have to give them the bad news that it’s not.”

Another key symptom of colorectal cancer is a change in bowel habits, Dr. Lavery said. “Some patients may have diarrhea that’s new and lasts for months, or suddenly they have a hard time going to the bathroom and have constipation and then develop bloating or abdominal pain.”

Anemia and unexpected weight loss are other symptoms to watch for. “All of these things should perk your ears up that something is not right, and you should seek a colonoscopy to see what is going on,” Dr. Lavery said.

Why are colonoscopies and other screening exams so important? The earlier colorectal cancer is caught, the better your chances of survival. Cancer could be present even before you have symptoms.

And colorectal cancer is on the rise, particularly among younger adults. Dr. Lavery noted that people born in the 1990s have a five times higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those born in the 1960s. That’s one of the reasons the American Cancer Society now recommends that people of average risk for colorectal cancer begin screenings at age 45, even if they do not have symptoms.

Treating Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer typically starts as noncancerous polyps. Following American Cancer Society screening guidelines for colorectal cancer makes it more likely that any polyps will be caught early enough to remove them before they become cancerous.

Once polyps become cancer, the disease is more difficult to treat. And the longer you put off getting checked when you have symptoms, the more time the cancer has to grow.

Your physician’s first step after cancer is discovered is to order a CT scan. The scan allows your doctor to determine whether the cancer has spread to other organs, which means it’s stage 4 metastatic cancer.

“If the cancer has spread to the lungs or the liver, which are typically the most common locations for metastatic disease, then surgery isn’t always necessarily offered,” Dr. Lavery said. “Surgery is for a cure, and if the patient has metastatic disease, a cure often isn’t able to be achieved.”

At earlier stages, before the cancer has spread, surgery is effective. And with minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery, patients often go home within a day or two.

Tissues removed during surgery are sent to pathology to determine how many layers are affected and whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. Every case of cancer is unique, and treatment plans are developed based on each patient’s needs.

Dr. Lavery reiterates that screening really does save lives. “I can’t emphasize enough how passionate I am about encouraging colorectal cancer screenings. And if you have symptoms, don’t delay in seeing your doctor,” Dr. Lavery said. “A colonoscopy has a much easier, swifter recovery than having to undergo a major operation. If people want to talk about what a colonoscopy entails, I’m always available.”