9 Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is hard to detect during the early stages because it often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. This is why healthcare providers recommend frequent health screenings. In this article, we’ll break down the 9 signs and symptoms of colon cancer.

Change in Bowel Habits

Affected individuals might experience a change in their bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea lasting for more than four weeks.

 Frequent Bathroom Visits

If one feels like going to the bathroom even after emptying their bowels, it might indicate that there is something blocking the rectum and preventing the complete evacuation of stools. This blockage could be due to colon cancer or other causes such as anal fissure, rectal prolapse, etc.

 Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is usually not an early sign of colon cancer, but it often comes later when the cancer has progressed. Abdominal pain is most commonly caused by constipation and abdominal cramps. But sometimes, these symptoms are accompanied by other signs such as weight loss and a change in bowel habits that can point to colon cancer.

Weight Loss

Weight loss is another common symptom of many diseases, including colon cancer. It is not a common early sign of colorectal cancer and may occur late when the disease has progressed.

Blood in the Stool

The most common symptom of colon cancer is blood in the stool. The source of bleeding is not always apparent, but it can result from a hemorrhoid (swollen blood vessel) that has burst.

Bloating or Gas

Bloating or gas is a common symptom of colon cancer, and it can oftentimes be confused with bloating related to eating habits. With this type of bloating, affected individuals may also notice that their stomach looks visibly swollen or distended. If one has chronic gas that doesn’t seem to go away, it could be cause for concern.

 Narrow stools

Colon cancer often blocks the passageway through which waste moves out of the body (known as the colon). As a result, people with colon cancer may notice that their stool has become narrower and harder than normal.

Cramping

Some people who have colon cancer have no symptoms at all; others might experience mild abdominal cramping during or after meals (even if they haven’t just eaten). One might also feel full quickly after eating small amounts of food; this is a sign that something is likely to be wrong with the digestive system.

Feeling fatigued

Cancer can cause fatigue because it uses up a lot of energy. If one has been feeling unusually tired, it’s important to talk to a doctor.