Here are some of the most common symptoms of colon cancer:

1. Weakness 2. Feeling of extreme exhaustion 3. Presence of blood, either dark or red, in the stool 4. Constipation or diarrhea 5. Shortness of breath or gasping 6. Feeling of bloating 7. Excruciating pain in the abdominal area 8. Weight loss

Diagnosis

Half of the cancers of the colon or rectum can be felt by examining finger or is seen by visualizing the rectum. Over 70% can be visualized by a sigmoidoscopic examination. Therefore, these procedures should be a part of the annual physical examination and the nurse should encourage the patient to have them.

Indeed, symptoms of colon cancer may be associated with the common bowel problems. But once the abdominal pains are already present and whenever blood is present in the stool, it is important to undergo physical examination right away.

As they say, it is better to be safe than sorry, and paranoid than dead.