Many patients with colorectal cancer experience no symptoms in the early stages of their disease. In fact, many people have no symptoms until their illness is quite advanced. Therefore, routine colorectal screening is extremely important.
Because many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer are also symptoms of other colon diseases, it is important that you see your physician for an accurate diagnosis should you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea that is not the result of diet or illness
- A long period of constipation
- Cramping pain in the abdomen
- Change in bowel habits
- Persistent decrease in the size or diameter of stool
- Frequent feeling of distention in the abdomen or bowel region (gas pain, bloating, fullness with or without cramping)
- Weight loss with no known reason
- Vomiting
- Continual lack of energy
Last reviewed on 7/22/09
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