Symptoms & Warning Signs
Early colorectal cancer often has no symptoms — which is why screening matters. Warning signs to never ignore include:
- Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- A persistent change in bowel habit (looser stools, constipation, narrowing)
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue (from anaemia)
- Abdominal discomfort or a feeling of incomplete emptying
These symptoms have many causes, but they should always be assessed promptly.
Diagnosis & Staging
Diagnosis is confirmed by colonoscopy with biopsy. Staging — using CT scans and sometimes MRI (for rectal cancer) — determines how far the cancer has spread and guides treatment. Early-stage cancers are confined to the bowel wall; later stages involve lymph nodes or distant spread.
Treatment Options
- Surgery: The mainstay for most colorectal cancers — removing the affected bowel segment and nearby lymph nodes, increasingly via keyhole (laparoscopic) or robotic techniques.
- Chemotherapy: Before or after surgery for certain stages, to reduce recurrence or shrink tumours.
- Radiotherapy: Particularly for rectal cancer, often combined with chemotherapy.
- Targeted & immunotherapy: For advanced disease with specific tumour characteristics.
Why Early Detection Matters
Survival from colorectal cancer is strongly stage-dependent — early-stage disease has an excellent prognosis, while advanced disease is harder to cure. Because early cancer is symptomless, screening from age 50 (or earlier with risk factors) is the most effective way to catch it early or prevent it by removing polyps.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Browse colorectal surgeons →Blood in the stool, a persistent change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort. Early cancer often has no symptoms, which is why screening from age 50 is important. Any of these symptoms should be assessed promptly.
Costs vary widely by stage and treatment. Surgery alone is typically S$15,000–S$35,000+ privately; chemotherapy and radiotherapy add substantial cost. Subsidised treatment is available in the public system. Cancer treatment is Medisave/MediShield Life-claimable up to limits, often with private insurance coverage.
Yes, particularly when caught early. Early-stage colorectal cancer confined to the bowel has an excellent cure rate with surgery. Even with lymph node involvement, combined surgery and chemotherapy cures many patients. Outcomes are best with early detection.
Screening from age 50 (removing polyps prevents cancer), a high-fibre diet, limiting red and processed meat, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking all reduce risk. People with a family history should screen earlier.
General information only — not medical advice. Always verify a doctor’s SMC registration and discuss your individual circumstances with a qualified specialist.