Colon cancer affects 1 in 26 people assigned female at birth. While some symptoms may be similar to menstrual symptoms, other symptoms and the risk factors are the same across the board.
Colon cancer is often grouped with rectal cancer. These two types of cancer may be referred to as colorectal cancer.
The main difference between colon and rectal cancer is whether cancer polyps first form in the colon or the rectum.
According to the
Colon cancer remains the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in all people, though experts believe deaths are preventable with
Read on to learn how this condition affects females, plus symptoms and what to expect during treatment.
Colon cancer starts as tiny growths called polyps that develop in the inner wall of the colon.
Polyps are usually benign (noncancerous), but when a cancerous polyp forms, cancer cells can move into the lining of the colon or rectum and spread. These cells can also enter the bloodstream and lymph system.
In its early stages, colon cancer may have no noticeable symptoms.
When they occur, signs of colon cancer in a person with a cervix tend to be the same as those seen in those with a penis. The signs can include:
- constipation, diarrhea, or other changes in bowel habits
- blood in stool or rectal bleeding
- abdominal pain or cramps
- a sensation that your bowel hasn’t emptied completely
- unexplained weight loss
- fatigue, weakness, or reduced energy level
Colon cancer symptoms vs. symptoms related to menstruation
Some symptoms of colon cancer may be easy to mistake for symptoms related to your menstrual cycle. For example, feeling unusually tired or lacking energy are common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
There are also symptoms of anemia, which you may experience if you lose a lot of blood during your menstrual period.
Likewise, abdominal cramps associated with colon cancer may be mistaken for menstrual cramps. The cramps may also be mistaken for symptoms of endometriosis.
Talk with your doctor if you regularly experience fatigue or abdominal pain that’s unrelated to your menstrual cycle. Also consult a doctor if you’re experiencing these symptoms for the first time — even if they’re aligned with your menstrual cycle.
You also need to speak to a healthcare professional if these symptoms feel different from what you typically experience around your menstrual period.
Most of the same factors that raise the risk of colon cancer are the same, regardless of your sex.
Among these risks are:
- Increased age: The risk tends to climb significantly after the age of 50, though younger people can develop colon cancer too.
- Personal history of polyps: If you’ve had benign polyps in the past, you face higher risks of cancerous polyps forming later on. Having had colon cancer also puts you at a higher risk of a new cancerous polyp forming.
- Family history of colon cancer or polyps: Having a parent, sibling, or other close relative with colon cancer or a history of polyps makes you more likely to develop colon cancer.
- Radiation treatment: If you’ve received radiation therapy to treat cancers in the abdominal area, including cervical cancer, you may be at a higher risk for colon or rectal cancer.
- Lifestyle choices: Being sedentary, having obesity, smoking, and drinking alcohol excessively can all raise your risk. People with a cervix are advised to have no more than one alcoholic drink per day.
In general, the risk of all cancers increases after menopause.
While menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) (used to manage symptoms of menopause) increases the risk for some cancers, it’s actually associated with a
However, more research is still needed in this area. Discuss the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy with your doctor before beginning therapy.
You may also have an increased risk for developing a kind of colon cancer called hereditary polyposis colon cancer (HPCC), or Lynch syndrome, if you have a history of endometrial cancer and are a carrier for the MMR gene mutation.
The MMR gene mutation has been linked to HPCC. Lynch syndrome accounts for about
For adults ages 50 to 75 who are at a risk of colon cancer of 3% or above, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recommends:
- fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) or high-sensitivity guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing every 2 years
- a colonoscopy every 10 years or a sigmoidoscopy every 10 years plus FIT every 2 years.
These tests are used to screen for colon cancer. Use this risk calculator to determine your own risk level.
A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a long, flexible tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the anus and extended up into the colon. The tip of the tube contains a tiny camera that provides images that doctors can see on a nearby computer screen.
Any polyps that are discovered can then be removed with special tools passed through the colonoscope. The polyps are analyzed in a lab to determine if any cancer cells are present. This part of the process is known as a biopsy.
If results from the biopsy indicate that cancer is present, additional tests or screenings may be performed:
- A gene test may be performed to help identify the exact type of cancer and help guide treatment decisions.
- A CT scan of the tissue near the colon can help your doctor see if the cancer has spread.
- Ultrasounds, which use sound waves, can create computer images of tissue in the body.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colonoscopy as a standard screening test for anyone starting at
If no polyps are found during a colonoscopy, then colonoscopies should continue every 10 years. If one or more polyps are found, your doctor may recommend screening again earlier, depending on your risk factors.
However, the guidelines for screenings change occasionally, and there are sometimes differing recommendations among experts. Be sure to consult your doctor about your risks and how often you should have a colonoscopy.
There are three main types of colon cancer treatment:
Surgery
In its early stages, colon cancer may be treated by simply removing the cancerous polyps.
When the disease progresses, more tissue or parts of the colon may need to be removed.
Systemic therapies
During chemotherapy, powerful medications, often administered through an IV (via the veins), kill cancer cells. It’s often recommended if the cancer has reached the lymph nodes.
Sometimes chemotherapy is started before surgery to help shrink the tumor or tumors.
Your oncologist may recommend targeted therapies or immunotherapies, which can be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy
During radiation therapy, powerful energy beams such as X-rays are aimed at cancerous tumors to shrink or destroy them.
Radiation therapy is sometimes performed in conjunction with chemotherapy and may be recommended before surgery.
The survival rate for colon cancer is the same for all people. The main factor affecting the survival rate is how far the cancer has spread. Your age and overall health are also important factors.
In general, localized colon cancer — meaning that the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the colon or rectum — has a 5-year survival rate of
The 5-year survival rate for cancer that’s spread to nearby lymph nodes or other tissue is 73%. Colon cancer that has spread farther in the body has a much lower survival rate.
When reading survival rate statistics, it’s important to keep in mind that cancer treatments are constantly evolving. The treatments available today may be more advanced than those available 5 years ago.
While survival rates can give you some general information, they don’t tell the whole story.
Every person’s situation is different. It’s a good idea to discuss your outlook with your doctor since they’ll be most familiar with the progression of your cancer and your treatment plan.
Unlike some other types of cancer, colon cancer can usually be spotted early through routine screenings and treated before it spreads.
Talk with your healthcare professional about when to schedule a colonoscopy, and be sure to report any symptoms promptly for further evaluation.