Symtoms

[bobkat91]

Can you tell me the symtoms of colon cancer?  My husband has been bleeding for about 12 years on and off when he has a bowel movement.  Is this something to be concerned with?

Thank you
Bobkat91

[HeinrikMD]

Hi,

Bleeding is indeed something to watch out for, and is the basis for one of the methods of screening for colon cancer. A visit to the doctor would be important. If the blood is bright red (not brown,coagulated blood) it is possible that the bleeding may only come from hemorrhoids indeed, as the bloody hemorrhoids are less likely to produce any pain at all, but it would be better to  make sure that it is.
Other symptoms are fairly not specific, it could be changes in size of stool (becoming smaller and more compact) associated with constipation, others may have alternating diarrhea and constipation.

[Morecambe]

Rectal bleeding is never normal and should always be investigated.  I sincerely hope that your husband has not been ignoring this bleeding for 12 years and that, in the meantime, he has sought medical advice.

Colon cancer becomes more common after the age of ~40.  Symptoms include:-

- bleeding/blood in faeces
- abdominal pain
- rectal discomfort/feeling of incomplete faecal evacuation
- changes in the frequency/shape/consistency of faeces

If left untreated colon cancer can spread throughout the body to other organs.

One of my Wife's uncles ignored colon cancer symptoms although the signs were there and he died.  The doctors said "if only you had come to see us sooner.....".

Don't let this happen to you.  Go to the doctor now and ask for a definite diagnosis rather
than an opinion such as "well it looks a bit like haemorrhoids.....".  If there is any doubt insist on a colonoscopy.

Good luck
Morecambe