Five early symptoms of colon cancer

The five early symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss and anemia. Timely medical examination is the key. The early symptoms of colorectal cancer may not be obvious, but once these signs appear, colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test or CT examination should be performed as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis.

1. Changes in bowel habits. Patients with colorectal cancer often experience alternating constipation and diarrhea, or an increase in bowel movements and thinner stools. This is related to the growth of the tumor causing intestinal stenosis or irritation of the intestinal wall. It is recommended to record bowel movements and consult as soon as possible if abnormalities are found, and to undergo colonoscopy if necessary.

2. Blood in the stool. Blood in the stool is a typical symptom of colorectal cancer. The blood may be bright red or dark red, attached to the surface of the stool or mixed in it. The main cause is the rupture of blood vessels caused by tumor growth. If blood in the stool is found, you should seek medical attention in time and perform a fecal occult blood test or colonoscopy to rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding.

3. Abdominal pain. Patients with colorectal cancer may experience persistent or intermittent abdominal pain, and the location of the pain is related to the location of the tumor. The main cause is that the tumor compresses or invades the surrounding tissues. If you have unexplained abdominal pain, you should see a doctor as soon as possible and undergo an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan to determine the cause.

4. Weight loss. Patients with colorectal cancer often experience unexplained weight loss, which may be related to tumor consumption, loss of appetite, or digestive and absorption disorders. Significant weight loss in a short period of time should be taken seriously, and blood tests or imaging tests should be performed to rule out the possibility of tumors.

5. Anemia. Intestinal cancer patients may experience anemia, which manifests as fatigue and pale complexion. Chronic tumor bleeding leading to iron loss is the main cause. If anemia is found, seek medical attention in time, conduct blood tests and fecal occult blood tests to identify the cause of anemia and provide targeted treatment.

The early symptoms of colorectal cancer may not be typical, but once there are signs such as changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss or anemia, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for colonoscopy, fecal occult blood test or CT scan to get a clear diagnosis and early treatment to improve the cure rate and quality of life.