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Contact Us: Comprehensive Cancer Program

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer develops with few or no symptoms at first. According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms may include:

• A change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
• Weight loss with no known reason
• Constant tiredness
• Vomiting

Because these symptoms may be caused by colorectal cancer or by some other condition, be sure to check with a doctor.

• For additional information on a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute.

Screening and Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

• Screening is the best way to find colorectal cancer early, when treatment can be most effective.
• Colorectal cancer screening can also prevent cancer, by finding pre-cancerous polyps, which can then be removed before they turn into cancer.
• Screening for most adults should begin at age 50. People who are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer (those with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or those with a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease) should talk with their doctor to see if they should begin screening earlier. Fact sheets on colorectal cancer screening are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website.
  
  
• Screening tests include the following:
  
  

  Test	Frequency of test for adults over age 50 at average risk
  Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)	Once a year
  Flexible Sigmoidoscopy	Once every 5 years
  Barium Enema	Once every 5 - 10 years
  Colonoscopy	Once every 10 years
  Combined FOBT & Flexible Sigmoidoscopy	FOBT once a year and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy once every 5 years

  Source: CDC Publication #099-6486, March 2002.

Last updated on 02/25/2005 11:08 pm.