{"id":33081,"date":"2025-09-20T10:44:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T10:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/33081\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T10:44:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T10:44:08","slug":"gastroenterologist-reveals-which-is-1-of-the-most-preventable-cancers-if-caught-early-shares-21-warning-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/33081\/","title":{"rendered":"Gastroenterologist reveals which is ‘1 of the most preventable cancers if caught early’; shares 21 warning signs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Early detection can significantly improve outcomes. Therefore, regular screenings and awareness of symptoms<\/a> and risk factors are crucial. Also read | Gastroenterologist shares 8 foods that can lower the risk of colon cancer<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dr Dr Salhab said that colon cancer is highly preventable if caught early. (Freepik) <\/p>\n

Dr Joseph Salhab, a gastroenterologist from US-based Advent Health hospitals, took to Instagram on September 16 to share a post about colon cancer <\/a>that ‘may save yours or a loved one\u2019s life’. He wrote in his caption, \u201cColon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers if caught early.\u201d<\/p>\n

Colon cancer is highly preventable if caught early<\/p>\n

In his post, Dr Salhab said, \u201cOne thing I constantly hear from my followers is that they feel like their symptoms are brushed off, causing fear and anxiety- and they don\u2019t know what to do. Use this guide to track your symptoms and bring it to your next doctor\u2019s appointment. That way, you and your doctor can work together to decide whether the symptoms are serious and what steps to take.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keep simple journal to track colon cancer symptom<\/p>\n

According to Dr Salhab, here is what to do: \u201cKeep a simple journal. Write down when each symptom started, how often it happens, and whether anything makes it better or worse. Even details that feel irrelevant \u2014 like whether it happens after certain foods, during stress, or at a particular time of day \u2014 can help your doctor put the puzzle together.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bowel and rectal symptoms of colon cancer<\/p>\n

Dr Salhab said here are the bowel and rectal symptoms to watch out for:<\/p>\n

1. Rectal bleeding<\/a> (bright red, dark, or mixed with stool)<\/p>\n

2. Blood on toilet paper or in the bowl<\/p>\n

3. Black\/tarry stools (melena)<\/p>\n

4. Change in bowel habits lasting longer than a week (persistent diarrhea, constipation, or alternating)<\/p>\n

5. Stools that become thin or flat (\u201cpencil-shaped\u201d)<\/p>\n

6. Feeling like you didn\u2019t fully empty (incomplete evacuation)<\/p>\n

7. More frequent stools or urgency<\/p>\n

8. Painful urge to pass stool (tenesmus)<\/p>\n

9. Mucus in the stool<\/p>\n

Abdominal and digestive symptoms of colon cancer<\/p>\n

Dr Salhab added that you watch out for these abdominal and digestive symptoms:<\/p>\n

10. Abdominal pain that lasts weeks, especially if it\u2019s persistently in the same spot<\/p>\n

11. Pain that changes with eating, sleep, or activity<\/p>\n

12. Bloating or distension that doesn\u2019t improve<\/p>\n

13. Early satiety (feeling full after a small amount)<\/p>\n

14. Nausea or vomiting<\/a> without another explanation<\/p>\n

15. Symptoms of bowel obstruction: severe pain, no gas or stool, vomiting<\/p>\n

Whole-body symptoms of colon cancer<\/p>\n

According to Dr Salhab, these are the whole-body symptoms to not ignore:<\/p>\n

16. Unexplained weight loss<\/p>\n

17. Fatigue or weakness<\/p>\n

18. Iron-deficiency anemia (especially in men or postmenopausal women)<\/p>\n

19. Loss of appetite<\/p>\n

20. Night sweats<\/p>\n

21. Unexplained fever<\/p>\n

Dr Salhab listed risk factors to be aware of<\/p>\n

\u2022 Family history of colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas (precancers)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Lynch syndrome, FAP, or other hereditary syndromes<\/p>\n

\u2022 Long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn\u2019s disease<\/p>\n

\u2022 Prior history of colorectal cancer or polyps<\/p>\n

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.<\/p>\n

This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine (colon)…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":33082,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[20646,31244,31246,31247,134,111,139,69,31243,31245],"class_list":["post-33081","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-abdominal-pain","tag-bowel-habits","tag-colon-cancer","tag-gastroenterologist-reveals-which-is-1-of-the-most-preventable-cancers-if-caught-early-share-21-warning-signs","tag-health","tag-new-zealand","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-rectal-bleeding","tag-unexplained-weight-loss"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33081","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33081"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33081\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33082"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33081"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33081"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33081"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}