Five major symptoms of early colon cancer

Early symptoms of colon cancer may include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain or bloating, weight loss, and anemia. You should seek medical attention for screening in a timely manner to detect and treat the disease early. In the face of the above symptoms, a scientific lifestyle and regular physical examinations are particularly important for detecting and preventing colon cancer.

1. Changes in bowel habits

Sudden changes in bowel habits are typical early signs of colon cancer. For example, frequent diarrhea or constipation, or alternating between the two, and sometimes a feeling of incomplete bowel movements. This is because tumors in the colon can cause intestinal narrowing, affecting the passage of stool. It is recommended that if similar symptoms persist for more than two weeks, see a doctor as soon as possible for a colonoscopy or fecal occult blood test.

2. Blood in the stool

Bloody stool is one of the early hallmarks of colon cancer, especially bleeding in the stool without obvious pain, which is often mistaken for hemorrhoids. If the blood is dark red or mixed with mucus, be alert to the potential risk of cancer. It is recommended to perform a rectal digital examination or further imaging examination to determine the source of bloody stool.

3. Abdominal pain or bloating

Because the tumor in the colon can cause partial obstruction, patients may experience intermittent cramping, bloating, or abdominal discomfort. These symptoms are usually related to eating. If the pain frequency or severity increases, you should see a doctor in time for abdominal ultrasound or other imaging diagnosis.

4. Weight loss

Sudden weight loss without intentional weight loss should be taken seriously, because colon cancer consumes a lot of nutrients, leading to unexplained weight loss. At the same time, weight loss may also be caused by decreased digestive ability. At this time, it is recommended to have a nutritional assessment and colonoscopy to rule out the possibility of cancer.

5. Anemia

Tumor bleeding may cause iron deficiency anemia, which is manifested as fatigue, dizziness, pale complexion, and even palpitation and shortness of breath. In particular, if middle-aged and elderly men and postmenopausal women develop anemia, they should be highly alert to the possibility of colorectal tumors. Routine blood analysis and occult blood tests can help identify the cause of anemia.

If you or your family members experience one or more of the above symptoms, you should consult the gastroenterology or oncology department of a regular hospital as soon as possible to take effective examination methods, such as colonoscopy, carcinoembryonic antigen CEA test or imaging screening. The risk of colon cancer can also be effectively reduced through measures such as healthy diet, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction, regular bowel movements, and regular screening. The cure rate of colon cancer detected early is as high as over 90%, and scientific prevention and timely treatment are the key.