Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon cancer often has no symptoms which is why the screening procedures recommended by the American Cancer Society (ACS) are important to follow. However, the ACS (www.cancer.org) lists 5 symptoms that may indicate colorectal cancer:

1. Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days

2. Feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn't go away after doing so

3. Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal)

4. Cramping or steady stomach pain

5. Weakness and tiredness

Even if you have some of these symptoms, you may not have colon cancer. But, in order to be certain, you need to see your family physician. For more information, see www.cancer.org