March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Let’s start off with some positive news: Colorectal cancer is often treatable if you can catch it on time. That is why it is important to carry out preventive examinations to detect such diseases at an early stage. What is colorectal cancer? How do you recognize it? And what to do? You will read it in this blog.

How do I recognize it?

Colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer if the tumor is detected in time. The earlier the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is made, the better the chance of a complete cure. If you have symptoms that may indicate colorectal cancer, it is wise to visit your doctor in time. The doctor will listen to your complaints and will examine you physically.

Recognize the 6 alarm signals

• Blood or mucus in stool
• Permanently altered stool pattern
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal cramps or abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fatigue  

The above symptoms can be related to colorectal cancer, but they can also have other causes. If you have blood in your stool, it is wise to make an appointment with your doctor immediately. For other complaints, it is important to see a doctor if they persist for more than two weeks. The GP can assess whether further investigation is necessary.

Good to know

• Colorectal cancer is one of the most treatable forms of cancer if the tumor is detected in time. The earlier colorectal cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of a complete cure. It is therefore important to go to the doctor on time and not to keep walking around with complaints.
• Colorectal cancer mainly occurs with people over the age of 50. If you are older than 50, it is therefore good to be extra alert to complaints. If there is colorectal cancer in your family, especially in relatives under the age of fifty and/or if this concerns first-degree relatives, the risk of colorectal cancer is also bigger.

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