Rectal cancer affects the end of the large intestine, or colon, that carries waste out of your body through your rectum. It may begin as adenomatous polyps that are benign, or not cancerous. These polyps can develop into colon or rectal cancer, however, so the Mayo Clinic recommends regular tests to find if they are present. Talk to your physician about these screenings if you are age 50 or older. Rectal cancer together with colon cancer is called colorectal cancer.
Change in Bowel Movements
Although you may experience constipation or diarrhea from time to time, as most people do, either of these can be symptoms of rectal cancer if they persist. To tell if they are symptoms of rectal cancer or some other condition, pay attention to your bowel habits. If, for example, you notice your feces consistency has changed from what you normally produce and has stayed that way for two or more weeks, it could be a symptom of rectal cancer. Also check for blood in your feces, another symptom of the disease. Still another possible symptom that affects your bowels is a sensation that you have not fully emptied them.
Abdominal Symptoms
Problems in your abdominal region can be symptomatic of rectal cancer. The key, again, is persistence. If you often have such symptoms as pain in your abdomen, gas, cramps or discomfort, talk to your physician. Although these symptoms may not mean that you have rectal cancer, the earlier the disease is detected, the more chance you have of getting effective treatment.
Other Symptoms
Rectal cancer symptoms also may present themselves in ways you might not immediately connect with your intestinal system. You may, for example, feel you are weak throughout your body or often fatigued without an obvious reason, such as from overwork or exercise. You also may lose weight without trying and without changing your normal habits of eating, working and exercising. Another symptom is obviously connected to your rectum--rectal bleeding. This also can occur with hemorrhoids, but it can be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your digestive system.
