Symptoms of Colon Cancer

One of the reasons why colon cancer is so deadly and why screening is important is that it often starts without any symptoms. When symptoms of colon cancer do appear, that often means the cancer has already progressed.

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 05 Mar 2008. 10 Mar 2009.

Colon Cancer Alliance. "What Is Colorectal Cancer?" Colon Cancer Alliance 2008. 10 Mar 2009.

National Cancer Institute. "What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum." National Cancer Institute 26 May 2006. 10 Mar 2009.