Signs and symptoms of colon and rectal cancer
Know which signs to watch for.
Symptoms of colon or rectal (colorectal) cancer sometimes do not appear until the
disease is already past the earlier stages.
So even if you don’t have any symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor
about it and when you should be screened for colorectal cancer. Current guidelines
recommend screenings beginning at age 50. If you have a family history
of the disease or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend beginning screening
earlier.
Here are some of the signs to watch for:
- Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool
- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation for more than a couple
of weeks
- Feeling like you have to have a bowel movement even after you already had one
- Cramping or gnawing stomach pain
- Unexplained weight loss
If you do experience any of the above colorectal cancer symptoms, be sure to talk
to your doctor.
Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you definitely have colon or
rectal cancer. They could be signs of other conditions, such as infection, hemorrhoids,
or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
As part of a physical exam, your doctor will feel your abdomen for masses or organs
that may seem enlarged, and also perform a digital rectal exam.
Learn about
screening for colon and rectal cancer