Symptoms of Colon Cancer

One of the reasons why colon cancer is so deadly and why screening to catch it early is important is that it often starts without any symptoms. Polyps can take 10 to 15 years to grow and turn cancerous. Catching and removing these polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent the development of colon cancer. When symptoms of colon cancer do appear, that often means the cancer has already progressed, and treatment becomes more difficult.

Symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Bright red or very dark blood in the stool
• Narrow stools
• Gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Vomiting

_Sources:

_{American Cancer Society. "Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection." American Cancer Society 15 Jun 2013. 22 Jan 2013.}

_{Colon Cancer Alliance. "What Is Colorectal Cancer?" Colon Cancer Alliance 2013. 22 Jan 2013.}

_{National Cancer Institute. "What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum." National Cancer Institute 26 May 2006. 22 Jan 2013.}