How to Spot Colon Cancer Early Symptoms
Early detection of colon cancer greatly improves your success with treatment. Early symptoms of colon cancer are not specific to the disease and can be caused by other conditions of diseases. If you experience these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.
Colon cancer is a cancer of the lower part of your digestive system, called the colon. Colon cancer starts as small groups of cells called polyps. With time, polyps can develop into colon cancer. Some people do not experience any symptoms when they develop polyps, so screening tests are needed to detect polyps before they develop into colon cancer. Some people do experience symptoms of colon cancer, and if you think you may have colon cancer, schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- Look for changes in bowel habits. Suddenly experiencing frequent constipation or diarrhea can mean there's a problem with your gastrointestinal tract. Normal bowel habits are different for every person, so what could mean a problem for you won't necessarily mean a problem for someone else.
- Constipation is a decrease in the number or frequency of bowel movements, or difficulty passing stool. Constipation can be caused by many things, so it does not necessarily mean that you have colon cancer.
- Diarrhea is an increases in the number of bowel movements and is usually accompanied by loose or watery stools. Like constipation, diarrhea can be caused by many things. Eating spoiled food or an illness such as the flu can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if you have bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting longer than two weeks, experience weight loss or have severe cramping or pain.
- Blood in your stools can be an early sign of colon cancer. Blood can be bright red, black or appear to be tarry. Blood in the stool generally means there is bleeding in the intestines, so you should call your doctor for advice.