Live Life Team
Understanding what the signs and symptoms of colon cancer are can help you identify possible cancer and seek treatment early, when it is easiest and most effective. However, most of these symptoms can have other causes, so the only way to be sure you have cancer is to see a specialist and receive testing.
In many patients, small growths or polyps form on the inner lining of the large intestine. These polyps sometimes turn cancerous and grow into tumours, but not always. Middle-aged adults should be screened for colon cancer regularly to identify and remove any precancerous polyps that might form and reduce the risk of abnormalities developing into full cancer.
In the earliest stages of cancer, patients may not experience any perceptible symptoms of colon cancer, or may experience symptoms that they do not perceive as painful and aren’t as motivated to investigate. In the latter stages, pain and damage can spread to other parts of the body.
Since colon cancer takes place in the bowels, most signs and symptoms are felt in the lower digestive tract and during elimination. Signs of colon cancer include any changes to defecation, including diarrhoea, constipation or otherwise painful elimination, IBS, or an urge to defecate that continues without cause. Changes in the consistency or form of stool, rectal bleeding, or blood in the stool are also signs something is amiss.
These sorts of symptoms are often an indication of something not right with the left colon, which is smaller and more prone to obstruction. Other symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, weakness, fatigue, and anaemia due to iron deficiency. In these cases, colon cancer is more likely to be developing in the larger right colon, and the symptoms are due to slow blood loss over time.
Pain or sudden, unexplained changes in the immediate vicinity of your colon should be investigated as well, since, in third stage cancer, the cancer starts to spread beyond its site of origin (colon) and into nearby tissue and organs. Reduced liver function is a common symptom experienced by colon cancer patients and may present as a yellowish colour in your eyes, as are urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder infections, due to proximity. Generalized abdominal pain and frequent feelings of being gassy or bloated should also be investigated.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t jump to the conclusion that you have cancer. All of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer can have other, usually quite mundane explanations. If you have any heightened risk factors, you should be diligent in following up on symptoms with a doctor. Males, older adults, and people with low levels of activity or who are obese should be diligent in having regular screenings for early colon cancer development.
Even if you don’t fit into any of the high risk categories, it’s important to mention any of these symptoms and signs to a qualified medical professional and consult your doctor about whether additional screening and testing is merited. Paying attention to the signs and symptoms of colon cancer and following up is important in catching and treating or eliminating cancer before it reaches more destructive and dangerous stages.
