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Not to scare you with this title, but the fact remains: people are actually searching IBS vs Colon Cancer. And they are searching it a ton.

It’s World Cancer Day, so this is the unavoidable Gutsy topic we’re digging into.

IBS vs Colon Cancer

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Here’s the problem with the IBS or Colon Cancer question: they present with similar symptoms.

How I know this? 

Well, for YEARS my dad was told, “It’s just IBS.”

He never had a regular screening, but always had digestive issues and all the risk factors were there.

Spoiler alert: My dad died from Colon Cancer in August of 2019.

So today, it’s very important that the differences (and similarities) between IBS and Colon Cancer; early detection can save your life!

IBS vs Colon Cancer: What Actually Separates Them

Symptom lists overlap almost completely. This is where they don’t:

	IBS	Colon Cancer
Tissue damage	None. A colonoscopy shows no inflammation, scarring, or abnormal cells from IBS alone.	Starts as a polyp in the colon’s inner lining. Can become cancerous if not caught.
Onset	Usually late adolescence or early adulthood, often tied to a period of emotional stress.	Any age. Incidence in adults under 50 is rising by about 3% a year.
Bleeding	Not a typical IBS symptom on its own.	Rectal bleeding or dark, blood-streaked stools are a red flag, not background noise.
Weight loss	Not expected. Weight is usually stable.	Unexplained weight loss is a warning sign worth a call to your doctor.
Is it diagnosed by ruling things out?	Yes. IBS is a symptom-based label, given when nothing else has been found yet.	Confirmed by colonoscopy, biopsy, or imaging, not by symptoms alone.

What is IBS?

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is classified as a syndrome, not a disease.

Most people with IBS will never develop IBD (inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease) , but most people with IBD have IBS symptoms, which is why I always say IBS and/or IBD.

IBS is known as “spastic colon,” and since it’s a syndrome it’s just a set or range of symptoms that may fall into the defining category, Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

IBS, unlike IBD, does not cause tissue inflammation. In other words, if you were to be ‘scoped,’ doctors would not find tissue inflammation, scarring, etc. from IBS alone. (However, if you were scoped and did have a form of IBD, you would discover that. It would not be a pleasant finding, but critical.)

Even though there is no permanent damage done with IBS and your doctor would not find abnormal cells changes, it still can cause day-to-day pain, discomfort and misery for those who battle it. 

This is why I never say “it’s just IBS.” And that’s also why I always put “just” in quotation marks.

I see your pain.

Women are twice as likely as men to develop IBS, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). IFFGD’s IBS facts page adds that IBS is a major driver of missed workdays, second only to the common cold.

(And now you know why I’m so passionate about helping women in particular!)

Finally, and this is something that people overlook all the time, but for which I’ve set out to help with because it’s exactly what happened to me!

IBS usually begins in late adolescence or early adult life, most often at times of emotional stress. (IFFGD)

IBS Symptoms

Everyone is different, namely because some have the IBS-C (constipation) version and others have the IBS-D (diarrhea) version while others have the alternating version which includes both constipation and diarrhea.

This is a compilation of symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for both IBS – C and IBS – D as documented via What is IBS-C and D.

• bloating and/or gas
• inability to have bowel movements
• hard, lumpy stools at least 25% of the time (Bristol Stool Chart number 1-2)
• abdominal discomfort
• difficulty or straining at stools
• sense of wanting to go, but being unable to
• loose, watery stools (Bristol Stool Chart number 6-7)
• sudden urges
• frequent bowel movements
• mucus in stool
• cramping

And remember, while these are common symptoms of IBS they are not normal.

What is Colon Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that is formed from polyps in the colon, otherwise known as the large intestine. 

These polyps (or small bundles of cells) are initially harmless but can turn cancerous if not detected in time. 

They grow on the lining of the colon and can become further inflamed, leading to dangerous and potentially fatal outcomes and you have an increased risk of Colon Cancer.

One great thing about colon cancer that Dr. Zuri mentioned in the podcast episode we recorded together is that it is both PREVENTABLE and TREATABLE if caught on time.

However, it can be hard to distinguish if your symptoms are due to this condition or not, due to their rather vague nature. 

Colon Cancer Symptoms

Many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused by something that isn’t cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease. (American Cancer Society)

And here are some of those symptoms of colon cancer:

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea (chronic diarrhea), constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
• Rectal bleeding
• Dark stools, or blood in the stool (bloody stools)
• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
• Weakness and fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Unfortunately, oftentimes, the symptoms as outlined above don’t fully show up until the Cancer has been diagnosed.

This is why, if you have a family history of the disease and/or have been dealing with “IBS” symptoms for a long time, it’s a good idea to seek further testing and answers.

IBS is IBS is….

Gertrude Stein wrote, “A rose is a rose is a rose.” 

I know you think I’m much cooler now that you know that not only was I part English major, (yeah, you’d never know it on this website sometimes, though!) but within the English portion it was Poetry I studied.

I tend to revert back to the Stein-ian words frequently: a rose is a rose is a rose.

And IBS is IBS is IBS. 

In other words. while doctors do make the IBS diagnosis every single day, it’s not truly a diagnosis. 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a term given to those with a set of symptoms who have not been diagnosed with anything else….yet.

The yet is key here. 

I’ve never met someone who was diagnosed with IBS and, if they continued seeking answers, did not arrive at a more formal and accurate diagnosis. 

Please don’t misunderstand this as me saying, “If you have IBS, it’s probably Colon Cancer.” 

Not by any definition is that what I’m referring to.

What I am saying is that IBS is very non-specific, and more often than not, the symptoms are just potential warning signs that there is more to the story.

IBS and Colon Cancer

Although a primary concern of IBS patients is their potential risk of developing colorectal cancer (Rey and Talley, 2009), few studies have evaluated the long-term course of IBS. 

However, HERE is a study that took it on.

This was my point. 

It’s not an inverse relationship, but there is a relationship.

Even when presenting with colorectal cancer symptoms, without a Colon Cancer diagnosis, I’d guess that almost every single person with Colon Cancer has (or would be told they have) IBS. 

But also without a Colon Cancer diagnosis, every single person who has IBS (or told they have it) does not necessarily have Colon Cancer.

This is why being proactive with your healthcare provider and getting the appropriate tests is critical. 

Literally, it could be the difference between life and death. 

And in case you want to read more about this, check out Colon Cancer Stage 4.

Colon Cancer Testing

Unless you have very specific Colon Cancer signs and symptoms and are at a higher risk for it (due to lifestyle and/or a family history of colon cancer), I don’t think you need to assume you have it and get the exact Colon Cancer tests immediately.

There are so many other gut health tests to start with.

Yes, it’s confusing. Here are some sources I have to help get you started:

1. Beginner’s Guide to Digestive Health Testing
2. Testing
3. Complete List of Gut and Hormone Tests

But if you want to test for Colon Cancer, here are the options (as provided by the American Cancer Society)

p.s. Consider trusting the American Cancer Society website for stats and testing options; not food and lifestyle, mmmmmkay?!

Stool Tests 

1. Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
2. Stool DNA testing (see below)

Visual Tests

1. Colonoscopy. Do not be afraid of this one. Read: The Colonoscopy and Endoscopy and Top 30 Colonoscopy and Endoscopy Tips, Tricks, and Information.
2. CT colonography (also called virtual colonoscopy)
3. Flexible sigmoidoscopy

Cologuard Test

The Cologuard test is a non-invasive stool DNA test.

NOTE: In good faith, I cannot fully recommend this one, as I’ve heard it debated in great detail.

Metastatic Colon Cancer

Upon testing, in the event that the cancer was not caught early on, Metastatic Colon Cancer can be the diagnosis.

If this is the diagnosis given, that means the cancer has spread beyond the colon. 

In that instance, the cancer is advanced and usually at stage IV.

Guess what? I don’t need to research anything about Metastatic Colon Cancer.

I know exactly what it is, what it means, and what it feels like the moment you’re told a loved one has it. 

And it’s awful.

So guess what? You must do something today.

Do Something!

I don’t care what you do, but if you’ve been having massive digestive system problems, you have to do something.

Consider it your red flag!

If you’ve been given the IBS diagnosis, but you think the IBS diagnosis is just BS, run with that GUT FEELING.

The good news is that a key factor in Colon Cancer is early detection.

You know your body better than anyone else…..new symptoms that are alarming are definitely worth getting checked out.

It doesn’t matter if it’s IBS, Colitis, Crohn’s, Celiac, SIBO, GERD, or even Colon Cancer, arriving at the right answer ASAP is critical.

Questions? Ask away.

FAQ: IBS vs Colon Cancer

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. Conditions That Commonly Coincide With Gut Disorders: The Complete Research Guide
2. Pooping [17 Q&A’s]
3. GI Tract

Xox,
SKH