Colon cancer is now top killer under 50: Know signs here

Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death in Americans under 50, and gastroenterologist Dr Trisha Pasricha says a significant part of the problem is happening in the bathroom, specifically, people not paying attention to what they see there.

"The big problem is that we're catching them late," Pasricha told Business Insider. "The stage at which you catch these early onset cases is everything."

Unlike other cancers, colon cancer is quite uncommon when it comes to the lack of symptoms presented by the body before reaching a point where treatment becomes more difficult.

This makes alterations in bathroom behavior, such as unexplained diarrhoea, constipation, urgency, and more frequent bathroom trips, some of the early warning signs.

According to Pasricha, an author who has written a book called You've Been Pooping All Wrong that explains how the digestive system reflects your health, the first thing to do is identify your own normal.

"The only way you even know what is your normal is to look. You've got to look every day," she said. Changes that persist for more than a few weeks warrant a conversation with your doctor, even if they are not severe enough to disrupt daily life.

Among all the other changes, there are two that should be addressed promptly by medical practitioners. First, the formation of ribbon-like stools is something that persists over a long period.

This could be caused by a large tumour pressing against the colon, making the stool form differently upon exiting the body.

The second most pressing issue is rectal bleeding in any form. "Bleeding in any form is one big literal red flag," Pasricha stated. "I want to hear when you have blood the day or two after you saw it, maybe even same day."

Bleeding may also be caused by haemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease, but it is essential to rule out cancer early on.

There are two symptoms that patients tend to ignore when thinking about colorectal cancer, including nonspecific lower abdominal pain and unexplained fatigue. As Pasricha explains, the pain should not have been there before; it is usually mild and persistent, "and it doesn't stop you from doing your work, but it's also uncomfortable."