Colon Cancer: Could Months of Unexplained Constipation Be the First Sign?

Occasional constipation is common and usually harmless, but it mostly results from dietary changes, inadequate fluid intake, stress, reduced physical activity, or temporary medication use, and in most people

it settles with simple lifestyle measures. “What concerns us as gastrosurgeons is constipation that persists for months, especially when it is clearly different from a person’s normal bowel pattern,” Dr. Harshil Shah, consultant gastroenterologist, HPB, and liver transplant surgeon at Bhailal Amin General Hospital, told Times Now.

Colon cancer develops silently

Colon cancer and other structural bowel diseases often develop silently. In the early stages, there may be no pain or obvious symptoms. As a tumour slowly grows inside the colon, it can narrow the bowel lumen, leading to progressive difficulty in passing stools, reduced frequency, thinning of stools, or a persistent feeling of incomplete evacuation. “When such changes last for weeks to months and do not respond to routine treatment, they require medical evaluation rather than repeated use of laxatives,” said Dr. Shah. It is important to be clear: most patients with constipation do not have cancer. Functional bowel disorders and lifestyle-related factors remain far more common causes. However, constipation becomes a warning sign when it is associated with red-flag symptoms like

• Blood in the stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Ongoing abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Iron-deficiency anaemia

“Age is another key factor, as individuals over 45 years old, or those with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, should seek assessment early if bowel habits change,” Dr. Shah added.

Early detection is crucial

According to experts, from a surgical perspective, early detection is very important. When warning signs are present, timely investigations—often including colonoscopy—help identify serious disease at a stage when curative treatment is possible. “When new-onset constipation is identified, the initial approach usually includes dietary modifications to increase fibre intake, medications if required, and advice to improve fluid consumption. If the constipation does not settle and persists beyond a month to a month and a half, further evaluation is essential,” said Dr. Mohammed Mithi, consultant oncologist, Saifee Hospital.

What is colon cancer?

Also known as colorectal cancer, colon cancer starts in polyps on the inner lining of your colon and rectum. Colon cancer is a type of cancer that can affect your colon or your rectum in your large intestine. Polyps in your colon can become cancerous, growing from your colon’s inner lining to spread to other areas of your body. Doctors can do tests that detect colon polyps before they become cancerous. The tests also detect cancerous colon polyps. Colon cancer is a serious condition. But removing precancerous polyps can stop colon cancer before it starts. An early diagnosis and treatment to remove cancerous polyps may cure the disease.

Other signs and symptoms of colon cancer

According to experts, colon cancer develops slowly, and it takes around ten years for a precancerous polyp to turn into a cancerous polyp that may cause symptoms. When symptoms appear, they may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Bloated stomach
• Feeling like there is still poop in your bowel even after you go to the bathroom