Have High Blood Pressure, Cholestrol And Black Stool. Suffer Trouble With Bowels. What Are The Early Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

Posted on Thu, 5 Sep 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 5 Sep 2013 Answered on

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : What are the early symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Difficult question

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for sending your question.

This is a very difficult question to answer. Most of the time early: cancer has no symptoms at all. Sometimes there can be changes in stool habits. This includes more frequent stools or sometimes constipation. Sometimes there may be a change in the caliber of stool as well.

If there is some bleeding this is also suspicious and is one reason why we would request a colonoscopy.

Lastly unexplained weight loss is always a concern regarding any type of cancer.

If you suspect there may be something going on I would recommend that you discuss this with your primary care provider and obtain a referral to see a specialist who could consider performing a colonoscopy for screening purposes.

Thanks again for sending your question.

Dr. Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar