Changes in bowel habits in the elderly may cause colon cancer

The causes of colon cancer are related to heredity, colon adenoma, polyposis, chronic inflammatory lesions, low fiber, high fat diet, etc. As the body functions of the elderly decline, the metabolic functions of tissues and organs are poor, and the intestinal peristalsis is slow, which can easily lead to changes in bowel habits and induce colon cancer.

Common symptoms of colon cancer include bloody stools, mucous bloody stools, anemia, and changes in bowel habits. Changes in bowel habits and characteristics are one of the most common symptoms of colon cancer, especially in elderly patients with colon cancer. Moreover, colon cancer in the elderly often grows insidiously. In addition, the physiological functions of the elderly gradually decline, and the sense and reaction ability to various adverse stimuli are poor, so it is not easy to detect the tumor as it grows. When the tumor grows to a certain extent, it will cause the narrowing of the intestinal lumen, blocking the passage of feces in the colon, causing the stool to become thinner and flatter, or increase the frequency of bowel movements.

Therefore, doctors remind citizens, especially the elderly, that if there are changes in bowel habits without special causes, persistent diarrhea or constipation; frequent bowel movements, stools with pus, blood, mucus, or blood in the stool; or persistent abdominal pain, bloating, and abdominal discomfort, and general treatment is ineffective, further examination should be carried out.