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Detecting colon cancer can
be very difficult without screening by a doctor. That being said, there
are certain symptoms that you should pay attention to. If you notice
a change in your bowel habits, you need to start paying careful attention
to what is going on. If you seem to be suffering from frequent bouts
of diarrhea or constipation and this last for more than a couple of
weeks, there could be cause for concern.
If you notice blood in your
stool or the toilet bowl then this is another of colon cancer symptoms
to watch. Some people do have blood from time to time and it just goes
away after a few days. If it does not go away for a few days, contact
your doctor.
As mentioned previously,
the best way for detecting colon cancer is to get screened. Other than
being over the age of 50, you might also want to see your doctor if
you suffer from persistent abdominal discomfort from cramps or gas pain
or a general feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely.
Some people may experience
unexplained weight loss but many others with colon cancer do not experience
any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms do finally
appear, they may be different from person to person and depend on the
size of the cancer and where it is located. The most important thing
to remember is that detecting colon cancer is the job of the doctor,
not the patient. As a patient, you can only monitor your symptoms and
report to your doctor.