Rectal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes & What to Expect

Colorectal cancer is caner of the colon or rectum. According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the fourth-most common cancer in the United States.

Rectal Cancer

• The rectum is the last 6 inches of your large intestine. Rectal cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissue of the rectum.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of rectal cancer include a change in bowel movement such as diarrhea, constipation, a feeling like your bowel does not completely empty and stools that are narrower or shaped different than normal. Other symptoms are blood in your stool, frequent gas pains, bloating, a feeling of fullness, cramps, a change in appetite, weight loss for an unknown reason and extreme fatigue.

Risk Factors

• Risk factors for rectal cancer include being 50 years old or older, having a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, having a history of ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer, and having a parent, brother, sister or child with a history of colorectal cancer or polyps.

Prevention

• Screening test options include a blood test, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, digital rectal exam or double contrast barium enema.

Considerations

• The symptoms of rectal cancer are also symptoms of other less serious illnesses. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor.