Rectal bleeding flagged as key early sign of colorectal cancer in under‑50s

New research involving 443 patients under age 50 who underwent colonoscopy found that rectal bleeding is the strongest warning sign for early‑stage colorectal cancer. The study reported that the odds of a cancer diagnosis were 8.5 times higher for individuals referred for colonoscopy because of rectal bleeding.

The investigators, led by colorectal surgeon Dr. Sandra Kavalukas, noted that 44 % of the participants were diagnosed with early colorectal cancer and that 88 % of those later diagnosed had initially presented with symptoms such as rectal bleeding. They advise that any person under 50 experiencing unexplained rectal bleeding should seek prompt medical evaluation, as early detection can significantly improve outcomes.