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Social media is a hot spot to share medical symptoms these days. Once an embarrassing or taboo topic, the hashtags #hotgirlshaveibs and #hotgirlshavestomachissues now have millions of views on TikTok, where people joke about bloating, stomach pain, and constipation. This openness to discuss health issues feels refreshing, but here’s an important distinction:
Frequent or persistent digestive symptoms aren’t something to simply accept as normal.
While many people do have conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms can signal something more serious, including the early signs of colorectal cancer.
To discuss what young people should know about this dangerous cancer, we asked Dr. Megan Grunander, a General Surgeon who performs colonoscopies.
Younger adults are at risk
Rates of colon cancer are rising among younger people, which is why screening guidelines were recently updated to age 45 for those without a family history, and even earlier if someone in your family has had colorectal cancer.
“A staggering statistic came out at the end of 2025: Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people age 50 and under,” says Dr. Grunander.
The reason colorectal cancer is dangerous is because it often develops silently, or with symptoms that can be dismissed as something else. Dr. Grunander’s husband, Todd, was diagnosed at age 47 without a family history of colon cancer.
“He had symptoms for months and months, but we thought it may have been food poisoning. It’s easy to write things off, especially when someone is otherwise pretty healthy.” Hear Dr. Todd Grunander’s full story below.
What are some early symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Symptom | How it can look or feel | Why it may be a warning sign |
|---|---|---|
Bowel Movement Changes | New, persistent diarrhea, constipation, or a change in stool consistency. | A tumor can obstruct the colon, affecting how waste moves through. |
Blood in Stool | Bright red blood on toilet paper or dark, tarry-looking stools. | Tumors are fragile and can bleed easily as stool passes by. |
Abdominal Discomfort | Cramps, gas, or pain that doesn't go away. | A blockage can cause a buildup of gas and pressure. |
Weight Loss | Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine. | Cancer cells can consume a lot of energy, leading to weight loss. |
Fatigue | Feeling tired, weak, or rundown for no clear reason. | Slow blood loss from a tumor can lead to anemia (iron deficiency). |
Treatable when caught early
Polyps that are found during a colonoscopy can be removed with the endoscope and the development of colon cancer is prevented. Colon cancer can be deadly, but the good news is that it's highly treatable in the early stages. "If found in stage 1 or 2, surgery is often the cure and no further treatment such as chemotherapy is needed.” Dr. Grunander says. "Later-stage cancers like a low-grade stage 3 still have a 75% survival rate at five years, which is fantastic," she adds.
Whether you're in your 20s or your 50s, tell your doctor about any unusual symptom above. They may point to colorectal polyps or another GI issue. "Some benign conditions like SIBO and IBS have crossover symptoms which can also be managed." And if you are age 45 or older, it's time to start screening colonoscopies which are lifesaving and covered by all insurance plans.
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Dr Megan Grunander is a General Surgeon who performs screening colonoscopies at Ogden Clinic's Professional Center in Ogden. Learn more or schedule your screening scope here.