colorectal cancer symptoms | Colon cancer: 6 symptoms never to ignore

Colon cancer: 6 symptoms never to ignore


If rectal bleeding is among the most obvious symptoms of colon cancer, other signs are much more devious.

Anemia: a symptom of colon cancer.
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Anemia could be a symptom of colon cancer
A diagnosis of anemia may be the first symptom of internal bleeding, even if you do not feel any sign of it. "If a woman has her period, anemia is less likely to be tested for other causes, such as colon cancer," says Dr. Randall Holcombe, Oncologist at Mount Sinai Health System. , At New York. "If a man is anemic," he continues, "you suppose that he is bleeding from somewhere." It is not uncommon for people to have internal bleeding for six months before it appears in the stool, observes Dr. Patricia Raymond, Member of the American College of Gastroenterology. If you experience any symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue or dizziness, see a doctor.

Breathlessness: the symptom of colon cancer.
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Colon Cancer: Are you out of breath?
Shortness of breath is another sign of internal bleeding. If you do not bleed heavily or vomit blood, your body adds plasma to your blood without making more iron or red blood cells, says Dr. Patricia Raymond, which prevents you from losing blood in large quantities but decreases your blood's ability to carry oxygen. "That's where you can feel out of breath.

Bloating is a symptom of colon cancer
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Bloating and cramps may be symptoms of colon cancer
"If things start to get stuck in your colon, you may feel bloated," says Dr. Holcombe. Feeling bloated and experiencing abdominal cramps can have many other causes besides cancer, but if these symptoms persist, consult a doctor. If there is constant pain in the right side of your abdomen, it may mean that the cancer is in an advanced stage and has already spread to the liver, he adds.

Symptom of colon cancer: severe constipation.
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Symptom of colon cancer: severe constipation
There is nothing to worry about if you happen to be constipated. However, persistent and severe constipation may indicate colorectal cancer. "If you feel some kind of obstruction and this obstruction seems to be there all the time, you should be examined," Dr. Holcombe recommends.

Thin stools, a symptom of colon cancer.
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If your stools are all thin, it could be a symptom of colon cancer
Pay attention to what falls in the toilet, even if you do not see blood. If your stools are always lean and thin when they were plump before, it may be because of narrowing of the colon due to polyps, says Dr. Raymond. Persistent diarrhea can also indicate a problem.

The abnormal color of your stool could hide colon cancer.
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The abnormal color of your stool could hide colon cancer
Bleeding from the rectum does not always come in the form of bright red blood, says Dr. Holcombe. Dark, tarry stools probably indicate the presence of blood. If the cause may be less severe, such as an ulcer, it may also be a symptom of colorectal cancer.