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Doctor Mike Hansen - 4 Warning Signs of Colon Cancer You Should NEVER Ignore

Thumbnail of the video “Doctor Mike Hansen - 4 Warning Signs of Colon Cancer You Should NEVER Ignore”
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Author: Doctor Mike Hansen
Categories: Health
Tags: health
Views: 2 · Last viewed: 2026-10-17 03:48 UTC

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Pay attention to four warning signs of colon cancer (change in bowel habits, blood in or with stool, abdominal pain or distension, and unexplained iron deficiency anemia) and get evaluated, since a positive fecal occult blood test should be followed by a colonoscopy. The video also links the disease to modifiable lifestyle factors such as processed food and sugar, tobacco and alcohol use, and frequent intake of red and processed meat.

Key Points

  • Warning sign 1: Change in bowel habits. This includes diarrhea, constipation, or a change in stool consistency, and is more common when the tumor is on the left side of the colon.
  • Warning sign 2: Blood in or with stool. Hematochezia is passage of fresh blood, usually linked to recto-sigmoid tumors. Melena is partially digested blood that makes stool dark and tarry, more likely with right-sided (ascending colon) tumors; hematochezia is more often caused by recto-sigmoid tumors.
  • Warning sign 3: Abdominal pain and/or distension. This can result from partial blockage, rupture of the colon wall, or involvement of the peritoneum. Rectal cancer may cause rectal pain, narrowed stool caliber, or tenesmus (the feeling of needing to pass stool when the bowels are already empty).
  • Warning sign 4: Unexplained iron deficiency anemia. This is often caused by hidden blood loss in stool and is more common with right-sided cancers. Colon cancer should be considered whenever anemia with low iron is unexplained.
  • Risk factors: Age is a major factor, with incidence rising significantly from 40 to 50 and increasing with age, and younger onset is becoming more common. Dr. Hansen notes insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity are known risk factors.
  • Diet and meat: Dr. Hansen says long-term red and processed meat intake seems strongly correlated with risk, especially for left-sided tumors. High-temperature cooking may add to this risk.

Details Worth Noting

  • Concrete instructions: If a fecal occult blood test is positive, the next step is a colonoscopy for diagnosis. Reduce processed food, especially added sugar, and limit red and processed meat. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Eat mostly unprocessed food for natural fiber and lower insulin levels. Be cautious with high-temperature cooking such as barbecuing or pan frying.
  • Colorectal cancer symptoms usually mean the cancer is fairly advanced. Almost 90 percent of people diagnosed under age 50 are symptomatic, and diagnoses are occurring at later stages.
  • Some cancers are found through emergency conditions such as intestinal obstruction, perforation, or bleeding rather than routine screening.
  • Cecum and ascending colon tumors are about four times more likely to cause daily blood loss, averaging about nine milliliters per day, compared with other colon sites.
  • About 20 percent of patients present with metastatic disease, most commonly in lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and peritoneum.
  • Estimated risk increases: Dr. Hansen cites estimates of about a 16 percent increased risk for every 50 grams of processed meat per day, and about 12 percent for every 100 grams of red meat per day.

Bottom Line

Persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal symptoms, or unexplained iron deficiency anemia should prompt medical evaluation rather than being ignored, and lifestyle factors within your control can influence overall risk.