Prostate cancer and colon cancer are two of the most common cancers in men. While both can be serious, they are highly treatable when caught early. Yet they develop in very different parts of the body and bring their own symptoms, risks, and screening guidelines.
Understanding prostate cancer vs colon cancer is important so you can spot signs of each early. It’s also critical to adhere to proper screening guidelines, so you have the best chance of staying healthy as you age.
Prostate Cancer vs Colon Cancer: What’s the Difference?
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its job is to make a fluid that supports sperm. Because the prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine out of the body, even small changes in its size or shape can affect urinary function.
Prostate cancer develops when cells in this gland grow abnormally. It usually grows slowly. In fact, many men with prostate cancer may not even know they have it because it causes no symptoms in the early stages. However, some forms are aggressive and can spread quickly beyond the prostate to the bones or lymph nodes.
Colon Cancer
The colon, also known as the large intestine, is part of the digestive system. Its job is to absorb water and nutrients from food and store waste until it leaves the body as stool.
Colon cancer often begins as a polyp. Not all polyps become cancer, but certain types, especially adenomatous polyps, have the potential to change over time. Colon cancer can grow locally within the bowel wall and eventually spread to lymph nodes and other organs, such as the liver.
Are There Shared Risk Factors?
Prostate and colon cancer share some general risk factors. Both become more common as you get older, can run in families, and may be linked to inherited genes. Lifestyle also plays a role. This includes:
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Having a high body weight
- Not getting enough exercise
- Eating a diet high in red or processed meat
- Not eating enough fruits, vegetables, or fiber
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
There are certain risks that make prostate cancer more likely.
- It is more common in men over 50
- You’re at higher risk if your father or brother had it
- It is linked to certain inherited genetic changes
- It is more common in men with diets heavy in red meat and low in fruits and vegetables
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
Colon cancer has a few risk factors that make it more likely.
- Risk increases after 45
- You are at a higher risk if you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps
- It is linked to inherited conditions such as Lynch syndrome or FAP
- Long-term Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis increases your risk
What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
One of the most important things to know about prostate and colon cancer is that they don’t always cause symptoms right away. In fact, many men feel completely healthy in the early stages, which can delay diagnosis. This is why regular checkups and recommended screenings are needed. They can catch cancer before it causes noticeable problems.
When symptoms do appear, they may be subtle at first. For prostate cancer, changes often involve urination, while colon cancer may show up as bowel habit changes or blood in the stool. Because these issues can also be linked to less serious conditions, it’s easy to overlook them. Still, any persistent or unusual change is a signal to talk with your doctor. Associated symptoms are as follows:
Prostate cancer
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area
Colon cancer
- Lasting changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation
- Narrower stools
- Blood in the stool, which may appear bright red or very dark
- Ongoing abdominal pain
- Cramping or bloating
- Feeling like your bowel doesn’t empty fully
- Unexplained weight loss
- Ongoing fatigue
The Role of Cancer Screening
One of the most important things to understand about prostate vs colon cancer is that screening can find cancer before symptoms appear.
Since both may develop silently in the early stages, regular screening gives doctors the best chance to detect problems early. Prostate cancer screening is usually discussed between the ages of 45 and 55, depending on personal and family risk factors. Colon cancer screening is generally recommended starting at age 45 for adults at average risk. Screening methods are as follows:
Prostate cancer
- PSA blood test. This test measures prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Higher levels can mean cancer or another prostate condition.
- Digital rectal exam (DRE). A doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to check for changes in size or texture.
- Imaging and biopsy. If results are abnormal, imaging and a biopsy confirm the diagnosis.
Colon cancer
- Colonoscopy. This is the gold standard test, as it allows doctors to view the colon, remove polyps, and confirm a diagnosis during the same procedure.
- Stool-based tests. These tests look for hidden blood or abnomal DNA in a stool sample. These are recommended in certain cases, as they have some limitations.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy or CT colonography may be used in some cases.
Prostate Cancer vs Colon Cancer: Schedule Your Screening Appointment
Whether you’re concerned about prostate cancer vs colon cancer, one thing is certain: screening matters. Part of getting older is having multiple doctors on your care team. A urologist is an expert in prostate cancer screening, and a gastroenterologist performs colon cancer screening. You’ll need both to have the best chance of finding problems early, when they are more treatable.
If you’re a man over 50, it’s time for your prostate cancer screening – schedule an appointment in the Des Moines area today!