What to Expect From Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is usually not detectable until it has reached an advanced stage. However, there are some early signs that should alert you to get a colon cancer screening.

Blood in Stool

• Bloody stool is a common sign of colon cancer. Keep track of what foods you eat to make sure something in your diet is not causing reddish stools. Beets are a common culprit.

Irregular Stool Size

• Thin or narrow stool may be a sign of an obstruction, such as a tumor, in your colon. Consult with a health care professional immediately if you produce ribbon-like stools during a bowel movement.

Constipation

• Although there may be many causes of constipation, chronic inability to produce stool may also be a symptom of colon cancer tumors.

Gas Pains

• Abdominal discomfort, commonly in the form of gas pain, occurs when tumors don't allow gas to exit the body through the colon.

Fatigue

• You may feel a general sense of fatigue for days at the onset of colon cancer due to the loss of blood during bowel movements. However, this is a vague symptom that could be caused by a variety of medical reasons.