Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the colon or the rectum. Some people may get polyps on the walls of their colon. These are typically benign, or noncancerous, but some of them could turn into cancer if left untreated.
If you have a family history of the condition or any concerns, screening for colon cancer could detect colon cancer before it causes any symptoms. In early stages, colon cancer is highly treatable but may be harder to treat in later stages.
Read on to learn more about stage 1 colon cancer symptoms, what to look out for, and when screening might be advised.
Specialists use the
- Stage 0: At this stage, abnormal cells can be found in the mucosa, or innermost layer of the colon wall. They have not become cancer yet.
- Stage 1: At this stage, abnormal cells in the mucosa of the colon wall have turned into cancer. They have also spread to the layer of tissue next to the mucosa, or to the muscle layer of the colon wall.
- Stage 2: At this stage, the cancer has spread to additional layers in the colon.
- Stage 3: At this stage, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or in tissue near the lymph nodes.
- Stage 4: At this stage, the cancer has spread to other organs outside the colon, which could involve the ovary, liver, lung, or other distant lymph nodes.
Stages 2, 3, and 4 are usually split into additional stages depending on the extent to which the cancer has spread.
Stage 1 colon cancer may not have any visible symptoms. At this stage, the cancer may not be advanced enough to cause symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms, these may include:
- rectal bleeding
- bloody stools
- abdominal pain
- pain when having a bowel movement
- iron deficiency anemia
- change in bowel habits
- unusual appearance of your stool
- the need to have a bowel movement but not feeling relief from having one
- weakness
- fatigue
- unintentional weight loss
You may not experience any bleeding in early stages, or you may not be aware of it. Over time you can lose more blood, and this could lead to low iron levels. For some people, an iron deficiency test result may be the first sign of their cancer.
Colon cancer is caused by changes in how your cells function. Risk factors for colon cancer can make you more likely to develop these changes, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll ever get colon cancer.
Some risk factors for colon cancer
- having a family history of colon cancer, especially a parent or a sibling with the condition
- having other types of cancer like ovarian cancer
- being at high risk of adenomas (polyps that are likely to turn into cancer)
- having inherited genes that increase the risk of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer)
- having Crohn’s disease for 8 years or more
- having ulcerative colitis for 8 years or more
- drinking alcohol
- smoking
- having obesity
- being older; however, colon cancer can occur in younger people
Research indicates that there’s a
Your doctor may ask for your family history, do a physical exam, and assess any symptoms you’ve been experiencing. They may also order any of the
- fecal immunochemical test
- sigmoidoscopy
- colonoscopy
- CT scan
- MRI
- PET scan
Based on your results, they can come up with a treatment plan. Your treatment plan will depend on
- the stage of the cancer
- the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in your blood
- whether the tumor has spread into or through the colon wall
- whether the colon is blocked
- whether all the tumor can be removed through surgery
- your health
- whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has come back
Treatment for stage 1 colon cancer usually involves surgery. During surgery, your doctor will remove the cancer and take a sample of it to send to a pathologist for examination.
Depending on the pathology findings, you may need additional treatment, which can involve chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Some people with stage 1 colon cancer may not need any further treatment after surgery, but this depends on how likely it is for the cancer to recur (come back) after surgery.
Talk with your doctor about your specific treatment plan.
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the colon and rectum. In the early stages, it may not present with any noticeable symptoms, or symptoms you experience may be mild.
Symptoms of colon cancer include abdominal pain, cramping, or rectal bleeding. If you’re noticing any of these symptoms, reach out to a doctor or another healthcare professional for advice.