Colon cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer, affects the lower region of the digestive tract, which is composed of the large intestine (colon) and the rectum. In 2006, nearly 140,000 adults in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, based upon estimates provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patients who develop any of the common signs of colon cancer should seek medical care as soon as possible to prevent further medical complications.
Bowel Movement Changes
Cancerous cells that grow along the inside of the colon can interfere with the normal function of the digestive system. As a result, patients with colon cancer commonly develop bowel movement changes as a sign of this disease, explains Up To Date, a peer-reviewed medical information website for patients. If the body is unable to absorb fluid from the contents of the digestive tract due to cancer cell growth, patients can experience diarrhea, which results in the excretion of lose or watery stools. Cancerous cells that begin to clump together within the colon can interfere with the normal passage of food through the digestive tract. When this occurs, colon cancer patients can experience difficult bowel movements because of constipation.
Discolored Stools
The colon can become irritated and inflamed as a result of cancerous cell growth in patients with colon cancer. When this occurs, a patient can notice that his stools appear abnormally discolored. Stool discoloration, such as unusually dark or black stools, is typically caused by the presence of blood within the stools, explains Up To Date. These signs of colon cancer can also occur in conjunction with bowel changes or persistent abdominal pain or cramping, warn health officials at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Colon cancer can prevent the colon from absorbing dietary nutrients, such as iron and other vitamins, from ingested food products. As a result, many patients with this disease develop iron-deficiency anemia as a sign of colon cancer. The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include pale skin, severe fatigue, body weakness, dizziness, irritability, chest pain, headache, difficulty breathing and heartbeat irregularities, explain health professionals at the National Anemia Action Council. Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to decreased body weight or poor levels of concentration while at work or school. Severe symptoms of fatigue because of colon cancer can cause patients to take frequent naps during the day or experience difficulty getting out of bed in the morning.
