What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Symptoms that could be associated with colorectal cancer include a change in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days; cramping or steady abdominal (stomach area) pain; weakness and fatigue; rectal bleeding or blood in or on the stool; or a feeling of having to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so. Since other conditions can cause these symptoms, a medical work up is needed. Also colorectal cancer may have few or no early symptoms.
The symptoms of colorectal cancer are very non specific, actually. It can be anything from a vague abdominal discomfort or pain that doesn’t go away to change in bowel habits: diarrhea, constipation, something again which doesn’t go away after a couple days, that it persists. There can be a loss of weight, that can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Or bleeding, blood in the bowel movements. Feelings of fatigue or symptoms of anemia: shortness of breath, difficulty climbing stairs, carrying things can be the earliest signs of colorectal cancer because the chronic blood loss from polyps and from colorectal cancer can lead to an anemia. And often times, it’s the anemia symptoms which call somebody to medical attention.
People with colorectal cancer often do not have symptoms until the cancer gets large. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may have spread to other organs. That means a cure may not be possible. That’s why routine screening is important. As cancers in the colon and rectum grow, warning signs will arise. You should tell your doctor and get prompt medical attention if you notice any of these signs.
Although colorectal cancer often has no symptoms, warning signs that may indicate colon cancer include blood in your stools, narrower than normal stools, unexplained abdominal pain, unexplained change in bowel habits, unexplained anemia, and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms may be caused by other benign diseases such as hemorrhoids, inflammation in the colon or irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you have any of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by your doctor.
