5 Sneaky Signs You Might Have Colon Cancer

About one in every 24 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime, explains Ronit Yarden, Ph.D. MHSA, director of medical affairs for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance in Washington D.C. That four percent could easily mistake colon cancer symptoms for something else entirely, be it PMS or food poisoning. This is why it's important to know that most common symptoms of colon cancer in women so you can ask your doctor if screening is beneficial.

“Younger women, in particular, may feel more intimidated about discussing their symptoms with a doctor or considering a colonoscopy," Patrick J. Amar, M.D., a gastroenterologist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, says. "Unfortunately, the risk of presenting with a more advanced cancer is actually greatest in those who develop cancer at a very young age, namely under age 50."

That’s probably because age 50 is the age colonoscopies start to be a routine recommendation.

“Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for prevention, but patients need to be aware that there is very wide variability in the effectiveness of cancer prevention with colonoscopy, based primarily on how often pre-cancerous polyps are found and removed (ADR or adenoma-detection rate). Don't be afraid to ask for a doctor's ADR rate before signing up for a procedure, to ensure that you are getting the best protection possible,” Amar says.

Keep an eye out for these five common colon cancer symptoms. Your digestive tract will thank you.