Signs and symptoms of colon cancer come in two general varieties:
1. Local Colon Cancer
Symptoms Local colon cancer symptoms affect your bathroom habits and the colon itself. Some of the more common local symptoms of colon cancer include:
2. Systemic Colon Cancer
Symptoms Systemic colon cancer symptoms are those that affect your whole body, such as weight loss, and include:
When to see a doctor
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, make an appointment with your doctor.
Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.
Preparing for Colon Cancer Tests
If you are worried about preparing for your colon cancer tests, ask your doctor about how best to get ready for any procedures. There are different medications for clearing your colon of stool to ensure a good screening. There is no reason to suffer in silence!
1. Local Colon Cancer
- Abdominal (midsection) discomfort, bloating, frequent gas pains, or cramps
- Bright red or dark red blood in your stools or black, dark colored, "tarry" stools
- Changes in your bowel habits, such as bowel movements that are either more or less frequent than normal
- Constipation (difficulty having a bowel movement or straining to have a bowel movement)
- Diarrhea (loose or watery stools)
- Intermittent (alternating) constipation and diarrhea
- Stools that are thinner than normal ("pencil stools") or feeling as if you cannot empty your bowels completely
2. Systemic Colon Cancer
Symptoms Systemic colon cancer symptoms are those that affect your whole body, such as weight loss, and include:
- Anemia (low red blood cell count or low iron in your red blood cells)
- Jaundice (yellow color to the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unexplained fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Unintentional weight loss (losing weight when not dieting or trying to lose weight)
When to see a doctor
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, make an appointment with your doctor.
Talk to your doctor about when you should begin screening for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as a family history of the disease.
Preparing for Colon Cancer Tests
If you are worried about preparing for your colon cancer tests, ask your doctor about how best to get ready for any procedures. There are different medications for clearing your colon of stool to ensure a good screening. There is no reason to suffer in silence!