3 side effects from colorectal cancer people don’t talk about
If you’re one of the 155,000 Americans who develop colorectal cancer this year, you’ll likely experience a rollercoaster of emotions.
Colorectal cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control, creating tumors that can spread to the rest of the body if left untreated.
Though people over 50 are at the highest risk for colorectal cancer, there’s been an alarming rise in diagnoses among younger adults.
That’s why adults at average risk of colorectal cancer are encouraged to start screening at 45. Those at higher risk may need to begin screening earlier and get tested more often.
An estimated 1.5 million Americans are living with a colorectal cancer diagnosis. The disease frequently causes diarrhea, constipation, abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding, fatigue and/or unintended weight loss — along with lesser-known side effects.
“When we think of cancer, we often focus on the big symptoms, but colorectal cancer comes with side effects that don’t always get the spotlight,” Dr. Cedrek McFadden, a colorectal surgeon based in South Carolina and medical adviser to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, told The Post.
McFadden revealed three side effects of colorectal cancer that patients don’t often talk about but are manageable with the right support.
“Speaking up about them can make a huge difference,” he said.
Emotional toll
“Beyond the physical symptoms, the emotional impact of dealing with a diagnosis and treatment can be overwhelming,” McFadden said. “Anxiety and depression are common but not often discussed.”
California resident Bri Mahon said she suffered panic attacks and bouts of depression, which she chalked up to being a new mom of premature twin boys.
Blood in her poop and an “out-of-control” urge to go to the bathroom prompted her to get a colonoscopy, which revealed she had Stage 3 colon cancer at 31.
“I’m pretending I’m OK but I’m not,” Mahon tearfully admitted on TikTok last year while going through chemotherapy. She later reported that she is cancer-free.
Changes in body image
“Whether it’s from surgery, weight changes, or a colostomy, patients may struggle with self-esteem and body image issues,” McFadden noted.
Media producer Joe Faratzis, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer at 28, said it was “psychologically traumatizing” to see clumps of his hair on his pillow or in the shower while he was going through chemotherapy.
Faratzis’ scans have been clear for nearly two years now — and his hair has grown back.
Digestive unpredictability
“Even after treatment, survivors may face long-term bowel changes, which can be a source of embarrassment or frustration,” McFadden reported.
Elayne Gorhum, a Houston mom and author, said on TikTok that she was left with symptoms that resemble irritable bowel syndrome — indigestion, diarrhea and cramps — after doctors removed a large part of her colon to treat her Stage 4 colon cancer.
She revealed that she experiences flare-ups when she gets stressed or eats something that doesn’t agree with her stomach.
“It can be just a really rough time,” said Gorhum, who has been cancer-free for more than five years.
