It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Colorectal Cancer.
Colon cancer is cancer of the last section of your large intestine and is the second most leading cause of death worldwide. It occurs when your colon produces small non-cancerous lumps called polyps. Over time if not treated these polyps can mutate into cancerous cells. Symptoms of colon cancer include persistent diarrhoea or constipation, blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue. These symptoms are incredibly similar to other GI disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. Cases of colon cancer are increasing every year in Australians as young as 20. Doctors misdiagnosing these symptoms as simple IBS and not referring them on for a colonoscopy are contributing to these rising numbers of preventable deaths.