Colon Cancer Symptoms
Colon Cancer
One of the most common signs of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits. This ranges from constipation or diarrhea to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements. A change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor that lies deep in the colon. Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period of time, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.
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One of the most common signs of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits. This ranges from constipation or diarrhea to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements. A change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, can indicate bleeding from a tumor that lies deep in the colon. Other symptoms can be harder to pinpoint, such as abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss. Finally, some tumors bleed a small amount over a long period of time, resulting in anemia (low red blood cell count) that is picked up on blood work.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Symptoms & Diagnosis: Dealing With a Cancer Diagnosis
About 10 percent of colon cancers develop because of an inherited genetic mutation. The major sub-types of hereditary colon cancer are called familial adenomatous polyposis – or FAP – and Lynch Syndrome.
Symptoms & Diagnosis: Genetics and Colon Cancer
About 10 percent of colon cancers develop because of an inherited genetic mutation. The major sub-types of hereditary colon cancer are called familial adenomatous polyposis – or FAP – and Lynch Syndrome.