Can chronic constipation cause colon cancer?

Lydia

Constipation is not a risk factor for colon cancer. However, the onset of constipation can be an early warning sign of colon cancer. So, any prolonged bout of unexplained constipation should be taken very seriously, and you should set up an appointment to see your doctor if you have not already done so.

Bear in mind that chronic constipation may stem from a wide range of problems: diabetes, hypothyroidism, medications and neurologic disorders, to name a few. Before doctors recommend any treatment for chronic constipation, they should always attempt to determine the underlying cause, with the most serious possibility being colon cancer.

Colon cancer typically leads to constipation if the tumor obstructs the colon. This most often occurs if the tumor is located in the lower colon or the rectum (the left side of the colon), an area in which the stool is already solid. Typically, tumors in the upper colon (the right side) will not cause constipation because the stool is of a liquid consistency and can more easily pass around an obstruction.