Early signs of colon cancer are not noticeable and don't usually give any indication. This is the biggest challenge in understanding colon cancer warning signs. A colon tumor can also exhibit signs that differ from one person to another. The location and the size of the tumor also determine the symptoms you might experience.
However, prevention requires that you should know what colon cancer warning signs to watch out for. Indications of a tumor in the bowel come in two different types: local and systemic.
The local colon cancer signs directly affect your bowel while systemic symptoms affect your whole body.
Difficulty in or loose bowel movements can mean other things besides tumor in your bowel. Diarrhea can mean infection like amoebiasis or you ate something that irritated your intestines.
Constipation can be a result of lack of fiber or water in your diet. But both diarrhea and constipation can happen alternately if there is a tumor at the descending section of your bowel. Constipation can also mean presence of a large precancerous rectal polyp. So it's best that you don't ignore this symptom.
A feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
Stools that are narrower than usual which may look ribbon-like
Stools that are very dark
Blood in your stool
Sometimes, the bleeding may be caused by hemorrhoids but you should be concerned with blood in the stool. It might be tumor if the color of blood is either bright red or very dark red.
Abdominal discomfort such as feeling of fullness or bloating, cramping, and frequent gas pain
Frequent pain before, during or after a bowel movement
If you experience any of these signs of colon cancer for 2 weeks or more, it will be wise to go and see your doctor.
Systemic Signs of Colon Tumor
In addition to changes in bowel movement, you should be conscious of the following systemic early symptoms:
Unintentional or unexplained loss of weight is one of the common warning signs of cancer of any type.
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of appetite
Persistent tiredness
Excessive fatigue is one of the common indications of tumor in the bowel or rectum. Sometimes, fatigue and weakness are your only symptoms which are caused by occult bleeding. But other health problems like diabetes and anemia can cause the same signs.
Anemia which may be caused by internal rectal bleeding
Jaundice
Abdominal distension which is characterized by a big belly even without gaining weight
Early cancer doesn't usually create pain that's why it is important that you see a doctor as soon as possible. Do not wait for pain or to experience night sweats. Pain and night sweats are signs of stage 4 colon cancer.
For your protection, understand what triggers cancerous cells to develop in your bowel. Know how to prevent polyps from forming in your rectum or bowel. And always be alert for the first signs of colon cancer.
