9. Shortness of Breath: When Breathing Becomes a Struggle
Shortness of breath is an unexpected but alarming symptom that may be related to colorectal cancer. In most cases, this occurs when the cancer leads to anemia, due to internal bleeding or other factors, thus reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood. As a result, you might find yourself gasping for air after minor physical exertion or even while resting.
What makes this symptom bewildering is its seeming detachment from the gastrointestinal tract. It’s easy to attribute shortness of breath to other factors like stress or cardiovascular issues. But in the context of colorectal cancer, it serves as a confounding but significant sign, pushing the boundaries of what we traditionally understand about this type of cancer.
The complexity arises from the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. When colorectal cancer induces anemia, the reduced red blood cell count means less oxygen reaches vital organs. This deficit leads to increased heart rate and respiratory difficulties, manifesting as shortness of breath. While you might not connect this symptom to your colon immediately, it reflects the body’s struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy. (9)
