Signs of Colon Cancer

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By Tuan Dinh
eHow Contributing Writer

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Colon cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon). It is one of the most common cancers in the United States, with approximately 100,000 new cases per year. Colon cancer incidence increases with age, and the greatest risk is for individuals that are 80 years of age or older. About 90 percent of cases are diagnosed in patients aged 50 or older. Death from colon cancer is preventable if the tumor is detected early by cancer screening or close monitoring of colon cancer symptoms.

Types

The most common symptoms of colon cancer are abdominal pain, change in bowel habit, hematochezia (also known as rectal bleeding) or melena, weakness, anemia, and weight loss.

Significance

Patients with colon cancer detected at early stages have much better survival than those with colon cancer detected at later stages. Therefore, it is important that patients with symptoms of colon cancer are carefully examined to facilitate early detection of colon cancer.

Issue

Symptoms of colon cancer are often shared by other diseases, which contribute to the delay in diagnosis. For instance, rectal bleeding is a classical symptom of colon cancer and a frequent first symptom. However, it is also a symptom of hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease and many other non-malignant conditions.