Colon cancer on the rise among young people: This is the common symptom mistaken for hemorrhoids.

Colon cancer cases in young people have been increasing at a dizzying rate in our country for years. Until now, it had not been possible to determine the causes; however, a new study published in the journal Nature suggests that a series of genetic damages caused by the E. coli bacteria during childhood could be behind it.

While a large number of colon cancer cases globally go undetected until it's too late to treat them properly, this problem is even more acute among young people. This demographic doesn't typically participate in screening programs (or even be indicated for them), and several of the early symptoms can lead to confusion with other, more common and less serious conditions.

Common symptoms with hemorrhoids

This happens, for example, with hemorrhoids, which can have similar symptoms at first glance. Therefore, whenever we experience visible signs, it's a good idea to seek medical attention; even so, it's important to remember that the most likely explanation in this case is the mildest, as explained by the Colorectal Cancer Patients' Association .

Specifically, both conditions can cause bleeding in the stool, which is sometimes visible to the naked eye through underwear.

On the other hand, it is not uncommon for hemorrhoids to also experience a bulge in the anus , something that can also occur in the case of anal cancer (different from colorectal cancer).

Two very different causes

Both diseases actually have very different etiologies , which explain the dissimilarity in severity and the rest of the clinical picture.

Hemorrhoids are veins in the anus that stretch and swell due to pressure ; for example, this can occur from straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, anal intercourse, or pregnancy.

Cancer, on the other hand, is uncontrolled cell division due to genetic damage in a particular tissue.

Therefore, while hemorrhoids do not usually cause any symptoms other than those already mentioned, colorectal cancer often causes other symptoms such as tarry stools, a feeling of needing to go to the bathroom that does not go away after defecation, abdominal pressure or pain, fatigue, weakness, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, and nausea.

Differences in treatments

Considering the severity and etiologies of both diseases, the treatment is naturally also very different in both its nature and its degree of invasiveness.

Hemorrhoids can often be treated at home , with measures such as adding more fiber to the diet, taking cold baths, or applying over-the-counter ointments. These approaches usually provide significant symptom relief.

Colorectal or anal cancer , on the other hand, requires much more complex and invasive procedures, which must always be performed by a professional, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.

References

Díaz-Gay M et al. Geographic and age-related variations in mutational processes in colorectal cancer . medRxiv [Preprint] (2025). DOI: 10.1101/2025.02.13.25322219.

Sergio Delgado. How to differentiate between hemorrhoids and cancer. Colorectal Cancer Patients' Association. Accessed online at https://europacolon.es/2022/05/25/como-diferenciar-entre-hemorroides-y-cancer/ on April 25, 2025.

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