What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?

A Complete Guide to Signs, Screening, and Protecting Your Future Treatment Options

Published by SpeciCare  |  Precision Medicine & Tissue Cryopreservation

What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon (large intestine) or rectum. Together, these organs make up the lower part of your digestive system. When cells in the lining of the colon or rectum begin to grow out of control, they can form growths called polyps. Over time, some polyps can turn into cancer.

Colorectal cancer typically begins as small, noncancerous clumps of cells that develop on the inner walls of the colon or rectum. While not all polyps become cancerous, identifying and removing them early is one of the most effective ways to prevent colorectal cancer from developing.

A Growing Crisis: The #1 Cancer Killer of Adults Under 50

Here is a fact that might surprise you: colorectal cancer is now the number one cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the number two cause of cancer death in women under 50 in the United States. This is a dramatic and alarming shift from just a few decades ago, when the disease was considered primarily a concern for older adults.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer rates in people younger than 55 have been increasing by about 1–2% per year since the mid-1990s. Researchers are still working to fully understand why younger adults are being diagnosed at higher rates, but factors like diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and changes in the gut microbiome are all being studied.

The takeaway is clear: colorectal cancer is not just an older person’s disease. Knowing the symptoms and getting screened can save your life—no matter your age.

Common Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer does not always cause symptoms in the early stages, which is why screening is so important. However, when symptoms do appear, they are generally similar in both men and women. Here are the most common warning signs to watch for:

Symptoms in Both Men and Women

1. Changes in bowel habits. Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or a noticeable change in the consistency of your stool that lasts more than a few days.
2. Blood in your stool. This may appear as bright red blood or cause your stool to look very dark. Any blood in your stool should be evaluated by a doctor.
3. Rectal bleeding. Bleeding from the rectum, even if it seems minor, can be a sign of colorectal cancer.
4. Persistent abdominal discomfort. This includes cramps, gas, bloating, or pain that does not go away.
5. A feeling that your bowel does not empty completely. Even after a bowel movement, you may feel like you still need to go.
6. Unexplained weight loss. Losing weight without trying or without changes to your diet or exercise routine.
7. Fatigue and weakness. Feeling unusually tired or weak, which may be caused by cancer-related anemia (low red blood cell count).
8. Iron-deficiency anemia. Sometimes colorectal cancer is discovered through blood work showing unexplained iron deficiency.

Important: Many of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, such as hemorrhoids, infections, or irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, see your doctor right away. Early detection is the key to successful treatment.

Screening and Testing Options for Colorectal Cancer

Screening is the process of looking for cancer or precancerous polyps before symptoms appear. Finding colorectal cancer early—when it is small and has not spread—gives you the best chance of successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk begin regular screening at age 45.

Colonoscopy: The Gold Standard

A colonoscopy is widely considered the most thorough and reliable screening test for colorectal cancer. During this procedure, a doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a camera to examine the entire length of your colon and rectum. If any polyps or suspicious tissue are found, they can be removed or biopsied during the same procedure.

Key facts about colonoscopies:

• Recommended every 10 years for average-risk adults starting at age 45
• Allows your doctor to both detect and remove precancerous polyps in real time
• Requires bowel preparation (drinking a prep solution the day before) and sedation during the procedure
• If polyps or abnormal tissue are found, a biopsy (tissue sample) is typically taken for laboratory analysis

At-Home Screening Tests

For people who are unable to undergo a colonoscopy or want a less invasive initial screening option, several at-home tests are available. While these tests are convenient and can be done in the privacy of your own home, it is important to understand that a positive result on any at-home test will require a follow-up colonoscopy.

Popular at-home colorectal cancer screening tests include:

• Cologuard® (Stool DNA Test): This test looks for DNA changes and blood in your stool that may indicate cancer or precancerous polyps. It is FDA-approved and recommended every 3 years.
• Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT): FIT detects hidden blood in your stool, which can be a sign of polyps or cancer. This test is recommended annually and is one of the most widely used screening methods worldwide.
• Guaiac-based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT): Similar to FIT, this test checks for hidden blood in the stool using a different chemical process. It is recommended annually.

Remember: At-home tests are a great first step, but they are not a replacement for a colonoscopy. If any at-home test comes back positive, a colonoscopy will be needed to confirm the results and investigate further.

Before Your Colonoscopy or Biopsy: Plan Ahead with SpeciCare

If you are scheduled for a colonoscopy or any procedure where a biopsy may be taken, there is a critical step you should take before your procedure: arrange for cryopreservation of your tissue through SpeciCare.

SpeciCare specializes in the cryopreservation of cancer tissue biopsies. Cryopreservation is a process that freezes and preserves your living tissue at ultra-low temperatures, keeping the cells intact and viable for future testing and treatment planning. This is fundamentally different from the standard method most hospitals use, which is called FFPE (formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded) processing.

Why Does Cryopreservation Matter?

When a biopsy is processed using the traditional FFPE method, the tissue is treated with chemicals and embedded in wax. While this allows pathologists to study the tissue under a microscope, the process damages the DNA, RNA, and proteins in the cells. This damage can limit the types of advanced genomic and molecular testing that can be performed on the tissue later.

Cryopreserved tissue, on the other hand, retains its full biological integrity. This means that if you ever need more advanced testing—such as next-generation sequencing, whole genome analysis, or emerging precision medicine therapies—your preserved tissue will be ready and available.

Benefits of Cryopreservation with SpeciCare

• Preserves your future treatment options. Approximately 50% of colorectal cancer patients experience recurrence or do not respond fully to initial treatment. Having cryopreserved tissue means your medical team can revisit your original biopsy with the latest testing technologies as they become available.
• Enables advanced precision medicine. Cryopreserved tissue is compatible with the most advanced genomic profiling tests, which can identify specific mutations in your cancer and guide targeted therapy decisions.
• Maintains DNA and cellular integrity. Unlike FFPE processing, cryopreservation does not degrade the molecular makeup of your tissue. This gives doctors exponentially more information to work with.
• Protects against test failure. Genomic profiling tests performed on FFPE tissue have notably higher failure rates compared to those performed on cryopreserved tissue. With cryopreservation, you reduce the chance of needing a repeat biopsy.
• Provides peace of mind. Knowing your tissue is safely preserved means you and your medical team are prepared for whatever the future may hold.

Colorectal Cancer Recurrence and Why Cryopreservation Is Critical

Colorectal cancer has a significant recurrence rate. Studies show that approximately 30–50% of patients diagnosed with stage II or stage III colorectal cancer will experience a recurrence within five years of their initial treatment. When cancer returns, having access to your original, high-quality tissue sample can make a real difference in treatment outcomes.

How cryopreserved tissue helps in the event of recurrence:

• Your medical team can perform the latest molecular and genomic tests on preserved tissue to identify new treatment pathways
• Emerging therapies such as immunotherapy and targeted drugs often require high-quality tissue for biomarker testing
• Having preserved tissue may eliminate the need for additional invasive biopsies
• New clinical trials frequently require tissue samples that meet strict quality standards—cryopreserved tissue meets those requirements

The bottom line: cryopreservation through SpeciCare preserves your options. Whether your initial treatment succeeds or you face recurrence down the road, having intact, viable tissue gives you and your oncologist the best possible foundation for making treatment decisions.

When Should You Contact SpeciCare?

Before your colonoscopy or biopsy—not after. Cryopreservation must be arranged ahead of time so that your medical facility can coordinate with SpeciCare to properly collect, handle, and preserve your tissue sample. Once tissue is processed using standard FFPE methods, the opportunity for cryopreservation is lost.

Steps to arrange cryopreservation:

1. Contact SpeciCare before your scheduled colonoscopy or biopsy procedure
2. SpeciCare will coordinate with your medical facility and pathology team
3. A specialized collection kit is provided to ensure your tissue is properly preserved
4. Your tissue is cryopreserved and securely stored, ready for future testing whenever you need it

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the first signs of colorectal cancer?

A: The earliest signs of colorectal cancer often include changes in bowel habits (such as persistent diarrhea or constipation), blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain or cramping, and unusual fatigue. However, early-stage colorectal cancer often has no symptoms at all, which is why regular screening starting at age 45 is so important.

Q: Are colorectal cancer symptoms different in men and women?

A: The symptoms of colorectal cancer are generally the same in both men and women. Both may experience changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Some research suggests that women may be more likely to develop right-sided colon cancers, which can be harder to detect because symptoms like anemia may develop before more obvious signs like visible blood in the stool.

Q: What is the best screening test for colorectal cancer?

A: A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening because it allows doctors to examine the entire colon and remove polyps during the same procedure. At-home options like Cologuard (stool DNA test) and FIT (fecal immunochemical test) are also effective initial screening tools, but any positive result requires a follow-up colonoscopy for confirmation.

Q: What is cryopreservation and why should I consider it before a colonoscopy?

A: Cryopreservation is the process of freezing and storing tissue at ultra-low temperatures to keep cells alive and intact. If a biopsy is taken during your colonoscopy, having cryopreservation arranged through SpeciCare in advance ensures your tissue is preserved in its best possible condition. This is important because cryopreserved tissue provides far more options for advanced genomic testing and precision medicine treatments compared to traditionally processed tissue (FFPE). Since approximately half of colorectal cancer patients face recurrence or initial treatment challenges, preserving high-quality tissue now protects your treatment options for the future.

Q: Why is colorectal cancer increasing in younger adults?

A: Colorectal cancer rates among adults under 50 have been rising steadily since the mid-1990s. While researchers are still investigating the exact causes, contributing factors likely include changes in diet (increased processed food consumption), rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and potential shifts in the gut microbiome. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50, underscoring the importance of awareness and early screening regardless of age.

Q: How does SpeciCare’s cryopreservation help if my cancer comes back?

A: If colorectal cancer recurs, your medical team needs access to high-quality tissue to determine the best course of treatment. Cryopreserved tissue retains full DNA, RNA, and protein integrity, making it compatible with the latest genomic profiling tests, targeted therapies, immunotherapy biomarker testing, and eligibility screening for clinical trials. Without cryopreserved tissue, patients may need to undergo additional invasive biopsies, and FFPE-processed tissue may not yield reliable results for advanced testing.

Take Action: Protect Your Future Today

If you or a loved one is facing a colonoscopy, biopsy, or a colorectal cancer diagnosis, now is the time to take action. Talk to your doctor about tissue cryopreservation and how it can protect your treatment options.

Here’s what you can do right now:

• Talk to your doctor about cryopreservation before your next colonoscopy or biopsy
• Contact SpeciCare to learn how cryopreservation works and how to arrange it for your procedure
• Share this information with family and friends—especially anyone under 50 who may not realize their risk
• Visit SpeciCare.com for more information about tissue cryopreservation and precision medicine

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Cryopreservation must be arranged before your procedure.

Contact SpeciCare today to preserve your options and protect your future.

References

1. American Cancer Society. “Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023–2025.” cancer.org. Accessed 2025.
2. National Cancer Institute. “Colorectal Cancer—Patient Version.” cancer.gov. National Institutes of Health. Accessed 2025.
3. American Cancer Society. “Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests.” cancer.org. Accessed 2025.
4. Siegel RL, Giaquinto AN, Jemal A. “Cancer statistics, 2024.” CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2024;74(1):12–49.
5. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). “NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Colon Cancer.” nccn.org. Accessed 2025.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment decisions, and personalized medical guidance. SpeciCare provides tissue cryopreservation services and does not diagnose or treat cancer.