Symptoms of colorectal cancer sometimes do not appear until late, when the
disease is already far along. Even if you don't feel any of the following
symptoms, you still should get
screened for colorectal cancer:
- Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool
- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation for more than a couple of weeks
- Narrow stools
- Feeling like you have to have a bowel movement even after you already had one
- Cramping or gnawing stomach pain
- Unexplained weight loss
If you do experience any of the above symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor
about colorectal cancer. And keep in mind that just having one or more of these
symptoms does not mean you definitely have colorectal cancer. They could be
signs of other conditions, such as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
and
diverticulosis or diverticulitis. Like colorectal cancer, these conditions are
treatable. Also, you may notice blood after a bowel movement that may come from
hemorrhoids or small tears in your anus, or a red or black color to your stool
that may be due to certain foods or supplements.
Learn about various risk factors of
colorectal cancer.
-->