Colorectal cancer is found in the large intestine. This tumor may be found in the rectum, which is the last five inches or so of the colon, or anywhere else in the colon. These cancers often grow slowly, but can spread to other parts of the body. Understanding the signs of colorectal cancer can aid in earlier detection and treatment.
Dark Stools
Dark stools may indicate the presence of blood. The stools may be black, purplish, red or streaked. Blood may or may not be noticeable in the toilet bowl or on toilet tissue after a bowel movement.
Change in Stool Consistency
The person with colorectal cancer may develop diarrhea or another change in the consistency of his stool. The stools may look more narrow than normal. Constipation may occur or the person may be unable to have a bowel movement at all. These symptoms become warning signs when they last for a week or more, with no explanation such as illness or a dietary change.
Change in Bowel Behavior
Many people with colon or rectal cancer have reported that they often felt as though they needed to have a bowel movement, but after doing so, still felt as though they needed to. Mayo Clinic describes it as a feeling that the bowel never completely empties.
Abdominal Cramps
Abdominal cramps may be bothersome, with intestinal gas and tenderness in the abdominal region. Some patients describe it as discomfort while others relate that their abdomen feels painful.
Weakness
Many types of cancer make the sufferer feel weak or fatigued, and colorectal cancer is no exception. Sometimes, this weakness is explained by anemia due to blood loss in the colon. Other symptoms of this blood loss include paleness, easily feeling cold and dizziness upon standing.
Weight Loss
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, unintentional weight loss can be indicative of colorectal cancer. As with the other signs, weight loss can occur due to a variety of illnesses, and a doctor should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
History of Polyps
A history of colon polyps can be a warning sign of colorectal cancer. Most of these cancers arise out of polyps and patients who are known to develop polyps require monitoring of their colon to determine that future polyps do not become cancerous. Many people who have colon polyps never develop colon cancer, but monitoring of their condition is warranted.
