Constipation

Constipation, having a bowel movement less than three times a week, can be your body's way of
suggesting that you make some minor adjustments in diet or exercise. However, constipation can
also be a symptom of a colon cancer. In the beginning of the colon, waste material is slushy and
can easily maneuver around anything that gets in its way. But as it nears the end of the colon,
stool solidifies and is less forgiving of obstacles. A tumor in the rectum or far end of the colon
can make it very difficult for waste to get by, thereby causing constipation.

Thin Stool

Once stool is no longer in its slushy phase and begins to take shape, how it looks when it leaves
your body can provide clues to what's going on inside. For example, thin stool can sometimes
indicate that your waste squeezed by some sort of obstacle on its way out. In the case of colon or
rectal cancer, that obstacle would be a tumor in the latter part of the colon or the rectum.

Stomach Cramps

Sometimes a tumor causes a bowel obstruction, which is basically a road block in your colon.
Depending on the severity of the blockage, solids, liquids, and even gas may be prevented from
passing by. This leads to abdominal cramps that can be severe, especially if the blockage restricts
blood flow to the colon. Painful cramps may also indicate that a tumor has perforated (poked
through) the bowel wall; bowel perforation is a medical emergency.

Hematochezia (Bloody Stool)

Tumors tend to bleed -- not a whole lot and not constantly, but they do bleed. As a result, some
of that blood may show up in your stool. If the tumor is in the beginning of the colon, the blood
will most likely be dry and virtually invisible by the time the waste leaves your body. However,
if the tumor is in the rectum or toward the end of the colon, it may still be fresh and therefore,
bright red.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Many of us wouldn't want to question unexplained weight loss. We'd just be happy to be losing
weight! But unfortunately, effortless weight loss is generally a sign that something is wrong. In
the case of colon cancer, unexplained weight loss can be a sign that a tumor is releasing
chemicals that are increasing your metabolism.

Sense of Fullness

A tumor that grows toward the end of the colon or in the rectum may cause a sense of fullness.
This is because your body senses that there's something else hanging around by its exit. What it
doesn't know is that it's a tumor and it's attached, so it isn't going anywhere. It basically sees the
tumor as a stubborn piece of waste, so you get that "I still have to go" sensation that can't be
relieved.
Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can occur for a lot of reasons. Motion sickness, an unpleasant sight or
smell, a slew of common viruses, and drinking too much are all familiar causes. But sometimes,
nausea and vomiting can be symptoms of something more serious, such as colon cancer.

Gas and Bloating

A pattern of gas and bloating may be an indication that a tumor is growing in the colon and
occasionally causing a blockage. Even if the tumor isn't large enough to cause a bowel
obstruction on its own, stool may periodically get hung up on the tumor while it's passing by,
causing a temporary obstruction. While your bowel is blocked and air is trapped, you'll be
bloated. When the blockage resolves itself, all that air will need somewhere to go and you'll be
gassy.

Lethargy

Sometimes the presence of a tumor causes iron deficiency anemia, a condition that can cause you
to feel extremely tired (lethargic). Tumors tend to bleed, which results in a loss of iron -- an
element that transports oxygen to your cells. This symptom is characteristic of tumors in the
beginning of the colon. Since it's pretty roomy there, tumors can get fairly big and bleed a lot
before causing any other colon cancer symptoms. The blood usually dries before leaving the
body, too, which also allows the bleeding to go unnoticed.

The Bottom Line

Even though you have an idea of what to look out for, it's important to remember that a tumor
can grow for years before causing any colon cancer symptoms. In addition, all of these
symptoms are very poor predictors in and of themselves.

For most people, the best way to prevent colon cancer is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and
receive regular screenings starting at age 50.

Colonoscopy

During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a flexible tube (called a colonoscope) into your anus. You
can watch on a video monitor as the camera is threaded through your rectum, all the way to the
end of your colon. If you're thinking about how pleasant that must be, take heart: you're sedated
during the procedure. One of the great things about this colon cancer test is its ability to remove
polyps (pre-cancerous growths). A colonoscopy costs anywhere from $800 - $1,200 out-of-
pocket, but is often covered by insurance.

Virtual Colonoscopy

Virtual colonoscopy provides a way to look inside your colon and rectum without actually
having to go inside them. Doctors can use virtual colonoscopy to check for polyps, cancer, and
other abnormalities of the colon and rectum. The colon cancer test is considered "virtual"
because it relies on a computer program to generate a 3D picture of your large intestine using a
bunch of X-ray images. The price of a virtual colonoscopy ranges from about $500 - $900.

Sigmoidoscopy

A sigmoidoscopy is a lot like a colonoscopy, except it only lets you see the lower part of your
colon. The price of a sigmoidoscopy ($150 - $300 out-of-pocket) makes it a more affordable
option for people without insurance.

Barium Enema

For this colon cancer test, a doctor uses an enema to fill your colon with barium sulfate. X-rays
are taken while you hold in the liquid and move into different positions. The result is several X-
rays that provide a two-dimensional view of your colon and rectum. A barium enema costs about
$250 - $500.

Stool Testing

There are two primary types of stool tests: fecal occult blood tests and stool DNA testing. Fecal
occult blood tests (FOBTs) use a chemical reaction to check for the presence of hidden blood in
your stool. Stool DNA testing is the latest method and can also be performed in a doctor's office
or at home.

There are five colon cancer stages (0-4). Colon cancer used to be rated using the Duke's system.
For example, Duke's A cancer was the equivalent of stage 1 cancer. Sometimes you'll still hear
people refer to their tumors that way, which can cause some confusion. The following
breakdown should help clarify the basics of each colon cancer stage.

Stage 0 Colon Cancer

This is the earliest stage possible and is also called carcinoma in situ. "Carcinoma" refers to
cancer that starts in epithelial tissue and "in situ" means original position or place. Colon cancer
is considered stage 0 when it hasn't moved from where it started; it's still restricted to the
innermost lining of the colon.

Stage 1 Colon Cancer

In this stage, cancer has extended beyond the innermost layer of the colon into the middle layers
of the colon. Stage 1 used to be called Duke's A colon cancer.

Stage 2 Colon Cancer

This used to be called Duke's B colon cancer. Colon cancer is considered stage 2 after it moves
beyond the middle layers of the colon. Sometimes colon cancer is still considered stage 2 after it
has extended into nearby organs.
Stage 3 Colon Cancer

If colon cancer is found in at least three lymph nodes, it has reached stage 3 (formerly called
Duke's C colon cancer).

Stage 4 Colon Cancer

Formerly referred to as Duke's D colon cancer, stage 4 is the most advanced colon cancer stage.
In general, stage 4 colon cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and other parts of the body.
Common destinations include the liver and the lungs.