Study: Symptoms Are Poor Predictors of Colorectal Cancer

Women with symptoms of colorectal cancer are no more likely to actually have cancer than women of the same age without symptoms, according to University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers.

A study of 415 women who had colonoscopies found that common symptoms that could suggest colorectal cancer -- such as a change in bowel habits or blood in the stool -- did not significantly increase the likelihood of cancer being found.

Dr. Radhika Srinivasan, reporting at the 68th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology, said that women without symptoms who underwent the colonoscopies were equally likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer.

"Most symptoms are poor predictors for the presence of colonic neoplasia. Colon cancer can occur without any symptoms," said Srinivasan. "Our study involved women, but both men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer should be screened starting at age 50."

Other sources: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine