How to Colon Cancer Warning Signs

The fact that colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States speaks loudly for the importance of early recognition of colon cancer warning signs. According to the National Cancer Institute, it is estimated that in 2008, 108,070 American adults will be diagnosed with colon cancer and another 49,960 Americans will die from colon and rectal cancer combined. In light of these statistics, the following colon cancer warning signs should alert you to contact your primary care provider for further testing and early treatment if necessary.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Watch for a change in bowel habits. This includes diarrhea, constipation, a feeling that your bowels are not completely evacuated after a bowel movement and having stools that are more narrow than usual.

2. Look for blood in the stool. The blood can be either bright red or black and tarry (melena). It is important to note that colon cancer is not the only health problem that might cause blood in your stool. Only a doctor can determine the cause of its existence.

3. Recognize unusual abdominal symptoms such as pain, gas or cramping. Be aware that under normal circumstances, early cancer is not associated with pain. This means it is extremely important to not wait until you are feeling pain to see a doctor.

4. Watch for a feeling of fullness or of being bloated. While it is normal to experience fullness after eating a large meal or drinking an excessive amount of fluids, feeling full or bloated without cause is not normal and should be investigated.

5. Be aware of unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss. While many of us would rejoice at the thought of losing weight, unexplained loss of appetite and weight loss may be a warning sign of colon cancer and should not be ignored.

6. Be conscious of feeling fatigued. Fatigue is different from being sleepy. It is a general feeling of tiredness and lack of energy that, if prolonged, may be cause for alarm.

7. Watch for nausea and vomiting. These can not only be early warning signs of colon cancer, but can also lead to other complications, such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many health problems that can cause the symptoms listed above. Most often, they are not associated with cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, however, it is important that you see a health care provider to rule out colon cancer.
• Having frequent and large amounts of blood in the stool may be a sign of a true medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately if this happens to you.

Resources

• National Cancer Institute

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