Cancer causes rapid growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the body that destroy healthy cells. It is called colon cancer when it develops in the intestinal tract leading to the colon or rectum. While colon cancer has no cure, identifying its symptoms in time can help doctors confirm its presence and recommend treatments to improve the patient’s quality of life. Here are some early warning signs of colon cancer to look out for.

Dark stools
Cancer destroys healthy cells in the colon and triggers bleeding. When the blood mixes with the stools during bowel movements, it changes the shade of the feces to a dark reddish tinge. This is a clear sign of bleeding in the intestinal tract or the rectum. Some patients also experience external bleeding while passing dark stools with aggressive colon cancer. However, since hemorrhoids can also cause rectal bleeding, it is vital to monitor the progression of this symptom. With hemorrhoids, the bleeding comes and goes with flare-ups. However, with colon cancer, the bleeding persists and worsens as the disease progresses.

Erratic changes in bowel movements
Since colon cancer develops in the intestinal tract connecting to the rectum, it affects the frequency of a person’s bowel movements. Consequently, one might experience sudden diarrhea with no underlying stomach infection or digestive discomfort. Similarly, patients could notice visible changes in their stools’ shape and size. For example, an individual may pass thin, pencil-like stools and struggle to evacuate the bowels completely. If any of these discomforts develop when there are no underlying health complications and persist, it is advisable to, at once, consult a proctologist. Early diagnosis can prevent severe progression of the cancer.

Pain in the abdomen
Colon cancer can trigger pain in the organs surrounding the digestive tract and random discomforts around the abdomen. It could also lead to cramps in the lower bowel region and bloating or enlargement of the stomach. These symptoms come and go when suffering from benign gastrointestinal ailments. However, persistent pain is a sign of tissue and cell damage caused by conditions like cancer, which should not be ignored.

Nausea and vomiting
Most digestive and intestinal disorders trigger nausea or vomiting. These symptoms occur as the body cannot properly digest foods and beverages, and the digestive organs enter a state of regurgitation. Cancer can also cause nausea or vomiting when a tumor presses against the bowel passage, forcing solid and liquid waste back up. The persistence of these discomforts is a key indicator of conditions like cancer.

Anemia
Commonly referred to as a lack of blood in circulation, anemia causes one’s red blood cell count to drop below what’s normal for the body. The RBCs are tasked with carrying oxygen to all extremities, and anemia severely affects this ability. Often, in cases of colon cancer, anemia occurs due to excessive blood loss through rectal bleeding and bowel movements. Weakness and fatigue also set in due to less oxygen circulating in the system. A blood test can confirm anemia and tell whether it is triggered by cancer progression.

Unexplained changes in BMI
A person’s BMI can fluctuate depending on their daily calorie intake, physical activity level, and metabolism. Numerous underlying health complications can also trigger rapid BMI fluctuations depending on their severity. If one’s BMI changes are inconsistent with the changes in their nutrition or activity levels, it points toward cancer. In some cases, persistent diarrhea can develop alongside colon cancer, causing rapid changes in BMI. Many people also lose their appetite due to digestive stress, resulting in a low-calorie intake that is insufficient for maintaining a healthy body.

Cancer is a progressive condition and can quickly spread to other organs in the body, primarily via the lymph node system. If it metastasizes, the chances of it infecting the brain increase. Although, statistically, only 3% of colon cancer patients are at risk of brain progression, patients must undergo brain metastatic CRC treatment as a preventive measure. Brain metastatic CRC treatment often includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and prescriptions to isolate and remove the infected cells. After assessing the patient’s symptoms and test reports, the doctor may be able to tell whether this treatment is necessary.