What condition should be evaluated for if an older adult has an abrupt change in bowel habits?

An abrupt change in bowel habits in an older adult raises significant concern and warrants evaluation for colorectal cancer. This condition is particularly relevant because it can present with symptoms that might easily be mistaken for benign gastrointestinal disturbances.

Colorectal cancer often manifests with changes such as a sudden onset of diarrhea or constipation, a change in the caliber of the stool, or even the presence of blood in the stool. The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age; hence, any notable alteration in bowel habits is considered a red flag.

While constipation may indeed occur and other gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome could cause changes in bowel patterns, the urgency and severity associated with a potential malignancy necessitate further investigation in the context of an older adult. Acute appendicitis, on the other hand, is less likely in older adults, as this condition more commonly presents in younger populations and typically includes acute, severe abdominal pain rather than a gradual change in bowel habits. This further emphasizes the importance of evaluating for colorectal cancer when there is a marked change in bowel function in older adults.