Bowel Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention

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Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, ranks second in the most common tumors among women and third among men.

Data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca) show that bowel cancer affects more than 40,000 people every year in Brazil. Due to the aging population, this rate is expected to increase until 2025.

Another concerning factor relates to the diagnosis of the disease. In 85% of cases, colorectal cancer is diagnosed in an advanced stage, when the chances of cure are reduced, making prevention crucial for treatment.

Understand the causes of the disease, the symptoms, and see how to prevent it:

What causes bowel cancer

Bowel cancer arises from the abnormal growth of cells in the rectum or colon. This growth leads to what is understood as a malignant tumor.

Most bowel cancers begin with the emergence of a type of polyp, also known as an adenomatous polyp, that is, an extra tissue growth located on the inner mucosa of the intestine.

Important: bowel cancer is more common in countries where the diet is low in fiber and high in fat, where obesity is more prevalent among the population, and the practice of physical exercise is not regular.

There is no confirmation that the combination of diet, obesity, and sedentarism increases the chances of developing bowel cancer, but it has been observed that it has been developing more in people of all ages (and not just among the elderly).

Risk factors:

• Tobacco smoking;
• Family history of colorectal cancer;
• Presence of adenomatous colorectal polyps;
• Being over 50 years old;
• Diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease;
• Diet low in fiber or high in fats.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

In its initial stage, the disease may not present symptoms. In more advanced stages, some signs may include:

• diarrhea or constipation;
• stools that are narrower than usual;
• blood in the stool;
• feeling that the bowel does not empty completely even after a bowel movement;
• unexplained weight loss.

Prevention of bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is highly curable, but early diagnosis is necessary, which can be done through exams, such as colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is an examination that assesses the current situation of the intestine, being able to identify changes, polyps, tumors, and other diseases.

It is recommended that all people over 50 years old (even without symptoms) undergo this examination. For people with a family history of cancer, polyps, or other intestinal diseases, the exam may need to be done before the age of 50.

Important: early diagnosis of bowel cancer is crucial for the treatment and cure of the disease. If not treated, cancer can spread through the wall of the intestine, reaching the lymph nodes or the bloodstream, moving to other parts of the body.

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