What Are Signs of Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of men and women every year. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that one in 19 people will receive the diagnosis of colon cancer in their lifetime. Most people have no signs or symptoms of this disease until it has worsened. However, there can be subtle signs that may warn you about a possible problem.

Bowel Habits

Although many people may suffer from diarrhea or constipation at one time or another, any significant change should be discussed with your physician. A change in bowel habits can be one sign of colon cancer. The Mayo Clinic reports that having diarrhea or constipation on a consistent basis or having a distinct change in the way your bowel movements look can also be an important sign that something is amiss.

Inability to Purge

Many times people will have a feeling of being unable to fully empty their bowels. It may feel as though you still need to purge but you will be unable to achieve this. Some people describe it as feeling constipated all of the time, even after having a bowel movement. This symptom often occurs when there is a mass in the colon that is blocking the bowel. If this is the case, emergency medical treatment should be sought.

Weight Loss

The loss of weight can be significant when a person is suffering from colon cancer. The weight loss may come on gradually as the cancer progresses. Some people will become very emaciated and their cheeks may hollow out as they lose weight. This is a very important sign that something is not right with your health. Getting checked out by a physician as soon as possible is imperative.

Pain

Pain and discomfort is a sign that most people cannot ignore. In fact, pain has a way of getting us to notice when something is not right with our bodies. Colon cancer pain may be mild in the beginning and become more severe as the cancer progresses. At first, many people describe having a bloated feeling or abdominal discomfort such as cramps or gas. This pain is usually not relieved after bowel movements. As the cancer progresses in stages it can become more intense.

Bleeding

Seeing blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum can also be an important sign of colon cancer. Some people may notice dark stools or even notice bright red blood in the toilet after a bowel movement. In addition, some people report having a blood stain on their underwear that appears to have come from the rectum.

References

• The Mayo Clinic; Colon Cancer; 2009;
• The American Cancer Society; Key Statistics of Colorectal Cancer; 2009;