Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

It is important to remember that very often there are no symptoms of colorectal cancer until the cancer is advanced. This is why it is important to begin and maintain a program of regular screening as recommended by your doctor. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

Change in bowel habits
Blood, either bright red, or black and tarry, in the stool
Stools that are narrower than usual
Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
General abdominal discomfort, such as frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and/or cramps
Unexplained weight loss
Constant feeling of fatigue or tiredness

References

Colon and rectal cancer. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal. Accessed May 14, 2013.

Colorectal cancer. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003096-pdf.pdf. Updated January 17, 2013. Accessed May 14, 2013.

Colorectal cancer. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated May 3, 2013. Accessed May 14, 2013.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Mohei Abouzied, MD; Brian Randall, MD
Review Date: 05/2013
Update Date: 05/14/2013

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.