- Persistent changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained rectal bleeding
- Blood in the stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
- Ongoing unusual fatigue
- Repeated changes in stool appearance
- A persistent feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
The presence of one of these symptoms does not mean you have colon cancer.
Many non-cancerous conditions can cause exactly the same symptoms.
The purpose of recognizing these signs is not to create fear. It is to encourage appropriate evaluation when something changes.
Screening Can Help Find Problems Before Symptoms Appear
Perhaps the most important message is that screening is different from waiting for symptoms.
Screening is performed in people who may feel perfectly well.
Depending on age and individual risk, screening options can include stool-based tests and visual examinations of the colon, such as colonoscopy.
