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Abdominal pain, blood in the stool, anemia, changes in bowel habits alternating between prolonged diarrhea or constipation, pencil-thin stools, weight loss, and fatigue are the most common symptoms of colon cancer.
Symptoms of colon (bowel) cancer include:
Changes in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation
Blood in the stool and/or rectal bleeding
Anemia
Fatigue and weakness
Pencil-thin stools
Mucus in the stool
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Weight loss
Nausea and vomiting
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin
Feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
Difficulty swallowing
Feeling full quickly while eating
Changes in bowel habits
In colon cancer, the lumen, the passageway for bowel movements, narrows due to the tumor, and the growing tumor can spread to deeper layers. This effect of colon cancer causes changes in bowel habits, leading to altered bowel movements such as constipation, diarrhea, or a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation.
Thinning and discoloration of the stool
A tumor in the colon can obstruct it. This obstruction restricts the space through which stool passes, resulting in stools that are thinner than normal, resembling a pencil.
Presence of blood in the stool
Colon cancer causes bleeding in the digestive system. This bleeding is visible in the stool. Over time, increased blood loss can also lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Persistent gas, cramping, or pain in the abdomen
Bowel obstruction caused by a colon or rectal tumor blocking the passage of liquid or solid waste or gas can cause abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating.
Furthermore, colon cancer affecting the right side of the bowel presents differently from cancer affecting the left side. Because the left side of the bowel is narrower, cancers in this area more often cause symptoms such as thinning stools, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. On the right side, the bowel is wider, allowing cancer to progress insidiously with a longer delay before symptoms appear.
If you experience these symptoms, consulting a specialist is crucial for early diagnosis.
What are the signs and symptoms of colon (bowel) cancer?
Symptoms of colon (bowel) cancer include:
Changes in bowel habits, such as persistent diarrhea or constipation
Blood in the stool and/or rectal bleeding
Anemia
Fatigue and weakness
Pencil-thin stools
Mucus in the stool
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Weight loss
Nausea and vomiting
Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin
Feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation
Difficulty swallowing
Feeling full quickly while eating
Changes in bowel habits
In colon cancer, the lumen, the passageway for bowel movements, narrows due to the tumor, and the growing tumor can spread to deeper layers. This effect of colon cancer causes changes in bowel habits, leading to altered bowel movements such as constipation, diarrhea, or a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation.
Thinning and discoloration of the stool
A tumor in the colon can obstruct it. This obstruction restricts the space through which stool passes, resulting in stools that are thinner than normal, resembling a pencil.
Presence of blood in the stool
Colon cancer causes bleeding in the digestive system. This bleeding is visible in the stool. Over time, increased blood loss can also lead to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Persistent gas, cramping, or pain in the abdomen
Bowel obstruction caused by a colon or rectal tumor blocking the passage of liquid or solid waste or gas can cause abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating.
Furthermore, colon cancer affecting the right side of the bowel presents differently from cancer affecting the left side. Because the left side of the bowel is narrower, cancers in this area more often cause symptoms such as thinning stools, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits. On the right side, the bowel is wider, allowing cancer to progress insidiously with a longer delay before symptoms appear.
If you experience these symptoms, consulting a specialist is crucial for early diagnosis.