What is colon cancer?

The colon, also known as the large intestine, is the final part of the digestive tract, where water and minerals are reabsorbed from digested food and waste is stored before elimination. Colon cancer, sometimes called colorectal cancer when it also involves the rectum, develops when certain cells grow abnormally. This process often begins with adenomatous polyps, small growths on the inner wall of the colon, some of which can turn into malignant tumours if not detected and removed.

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

Colon cancer can cause warning signs that are sometimes subtle or even absent in the early stages. Common symptoms include blood in the stool, which may be bright red or dark and tarry and is not always visible to the naked eye, and changes in bowel habits such as persistent diarrhoea or constipation lasting several weeks. Abdominal pain or cramps, general fatigue, anaemia and unexplained weight loss can also occur.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

Several factors increase the risk of colon cancer. The risk rises with age, especially after 50, and having a close relative with colon cancer or adenomatous polyps also raises the likelihood. Certain precancerous polyps have a high potential to become malignant and often go unnoticed without screening, while chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can promote the development of abnormal cells in the colon.

Is blood in the stool always a sign of colon cancer?

Blood in the stool does not always indicate colon cancer, as haemorrhoids are a common cause of rectal bleeding. Bleeding from haemorrhoids is usually bright red, visible on toilet paper or on the surface of the stool, and may be accompanied by itching or burning. However, darker blood mixed with the stool, or unusual and persistent abdominal pain, calls for a more thorough medical evaluation to determine the cause.

What methods are used to screen for colon cancer?

Screening allows colon cancer or precancerous lesions to be detected early, before they become malignant. The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is easy to do at home, where a stool sample is collected and sent to a laboratory to check for invisible blood, and a positive result indicates the need for further examination. A colonoscopy is the most comprehensive method, allowing a specialist to examine the inside of the colon directly and remove any suspicious growths for analysis.

How can colon cancer be prevented?

Even with risk factors, several habits can lower the risk of colon cancer. A healthy diet helps, with more fibre from fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, limited red and processed meat, and less sugar and saturated fat. Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, exercising regularly and attending recommended medical check-ups and screening also reduce the risk.

Colon cancer in Switzerland: book an appointment online

Dr. med. Tom Michael Ganten

Gastroenterologist

Gastroklinik - Giesshübelstrasse
Giesshübelstrasse 45
8045 Zürich

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Colon cancer in Switzerland: book today an appointment online

What is colon cancer?

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

Is blood in the stool always a sign of colon cancer?

What methods are used to screen for colon cancer?

How can colon cancer be prevented?

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