Colorectal Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Could you or someone you care for have colorectal cancer? In this section you
will find answers to the following questions:
Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
You are at an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer if:
- You are older than age 50.
- You have a relative who had colorectal cancer before age 60, or you have two or more relatives who had colorectal cancer at any age.
- You have had intestinal polyps (you are at an even greater risk of colorectal cancer if the polyps were large or if there were many of them).
- Your diet is made up mostly of foods that are high in fat, especially from
animal sources (you should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain
foods, and limit your intake of high-fat foods).
- You are not exercising enough or are very overweight.
- You smoke or have a history of alcoholism.
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What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Symptoms of colorectal cancer sometimes occur late, when the disease is already
far along. Even if you don’t experience symptoms, you should still undergo
colorectal cancer screening.
If you do experience any of the following symptoms, be sure to talk to a
doctor. And remember — having one or more of these symptoms does not
necessarily mean you have colorectal cancer.
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Bleeding from the rectum or having blood in the stool
-
A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation, that lasts for more
than a few days
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Feeling like you have to have a bowel movement even after you’ve already had
one
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Cramping or persistent (gnawing) stomach pain
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How do I get tested for colorectal cancer?
You should get screened for polyps and colorectal cancer as often as your
doctor suggests. But in general, men and women at normal risk of colorectal
cancer should do the following, starting at age 50:
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Every year get a test called a fecal occult blood test, in which a stool sample
is examined for blood (all positive tests should be followed by a colonoscopy).
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Every 5 years get a test called a flexible sigmoidoscopy, in which a lighted
tube is placed in the rectum so the doctor can look inside (all positive tests
should be followed by a colonoscopy).
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Every 10 years get a colonoscopy, in which a longer, flexible tube is placed
through the rectum into the colon so the doctor can see the entire colon (much
more than what can be seen with a sigmoidoscopy).
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If your doctor determines you are at moderate or high risk of colorectal
cancer, you may be advised to get tested more often.
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