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There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer in women that had their ovaries removed, reports a recent study. Hormones have an important role in causing colorectal cancer and removing the ovaries result in a hormonal imbalance in the body, say the researchers.

When ovaries in women are removed they alter the levels of sex hormones in the body increasing the risk of colorectal cancer. The researchers studied about 195,973 Swedish women that had undergone surgery to remove their ovaries between 1965 and 2011.

It was observed in the study that there was 30 percent increased the risk of colorectal cancer in women without ovaries compared to normal women. The researchers also revealed that women that had both the ovaries removed were two to three times at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those that had just an ovary removed.

"Colorectal cancer risk was increased after oophorectomy in both pre- and postmenopausal women. This emphasizes that prophylactic resection of normal ovaries should be reserved for women with a clear indication," said Dr. Josefin Segelman, lead author of the British Journal of Surgery study, according to Eurekalert.

The incidence of colorectal cancer in both men and women is increasing through the decade and hence it becomes necessary for people to be aware of the symptoms of the disease.

Change in bowel habits is the first obvious symptom of colorectal cancer. Constipation, diarrhea or narrowing of stool continuously for a considerable period could be indicating problems in colon or rectum. Having a feeling of bowel movement but that is not relieved even after elimination could be another symptom of colorectal cancer.

Bleeding in the rectum or blood in the stool that looks dark in color and unintended sudden weight loss, abdominal cramping and fatigue could be indications of colorectal cancer.

"Colorectal cancers can often bleed into the digestive tract. While sometimes the blood can be seen in the stool or make it look darker, often the stool looks normal. But over time, the blood loss can build up and can lead to low red blood cell counts (anemia). Sometimes the first sign of colorectal cancer is a blood test showing a low red blood cell count," reported American Cancer Society.