Most people with early colon cancer don’t have symptoms. Symptoms usually appear with more advanced
disease. If something suspicious turns up as a result of screening or if you have symptoms, you will need further
tests. Symptoms of colorectal cancer include:
• a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more
than a few days
• a feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away after doing so
• bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal)
• cramping or steady stomach pain
• weakness and tiredness
Just because you have these symptoms does not mean you have cancer. But you need to talk to your doctor to
be sure. It is also possible to have colon cancer and not have any symptoms.
If there is any reason to suspect colon or rectal cancer, the doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms
and risk factors (take a medical history) and do a physical exam. Then you will need to have further tests
to find out if the disease is really present and if so, to see how far it has spread.
