Does Colorectal Cancer Always Cause Blood in Stool? Man Loses 8kg in a Year, Colonoscopy Reveals Rectal Cancer! Don’t Ignore These 7 Intestinal Warning Signs

Mr. Chen, aged 60, has long served as a senior executive at a multinational corporation, frequently traveling overseas due to work demands. His busy lifestyle led to irregular eating habits, with most meals consumed outside.

Over the past year, he began experiencing frequent bloating and gradual changes in bowel habits, including persistent diarrhea. Initially attributing these issues to work stress and poor diet, he did not seek medical attention.

Recently, a colleague noticed that Mr. Chen had lost 8kg within just one year and urged him to visit Beitou Health Management Hospital for a colonoscopy. During the examination, doctors discovered a suspicious malignant tumor in his rectum and immediately arranged a biopsy. Pathological results confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma.

In addition to rectal cancer, the health check also revealed other gastrointestinal conditions: gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric ulcer, Helicobacter pylori infection, superficial gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia with mild dysplasia.

Dr. Liang Cheng-Chao, Deputy Superintendent of the Department of Hepatogastroenterology at Beitou Health Management Hospital, stated that hectic lifestyles often cause people to overlook bodily warning signs. Digestive tract diseases frequently coexist, making comprehensive examinations and follow-up monitoring crucial.

What Are the 7 Intestinal Warning Signs?

Many believe colorectal cancer always presents with bloody stool or severe abdominal pain, but early symptoms are often atypical. Persistent changes in bowel habits, bloating, alternating diarrhea and constipation, narrowing of stool, unexplained weight loss, bloody stool, or anemia could all be warning signs from the intestines. If any of these occur, prompt medical consultation is advised to determine whether further investigation is needed.

Currently, colonoscopy remains the primary tool for evaluating colorectal lesions. It allows direct visualization of the intestinal mucosa and enables immediate biopsy upon detecting abnormalities. Some polyps can even be removed during the procedure.

In recent years, high-resolution AI-assisted endoscopy systems have emerged as valuable tools to support physicians in identifying subtle mucosal changes. For painless colonoscopies, it is recommended to confirm whether a professional anesthesia team provides continuous monitoring throughout the procedure to enhance comfort and quality.

Dr. Liang emphasized that if changes in bowel habits persist for more than two to three weeks, especially when accompanied by weight loss, bloody stool, or anemia, individuals should avoid self-medicating or delaying care and instead seek professional assessment promptly. People over 40, those with a family history of colorectal cancer, prior polyp detection, or other high-risk factors should follow medical advice for regular screenings. Early awareness of bodily changes and timely examinations significantly increase the chances of early disease detection and help safeguard intestinal health.

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