Colorectal cancers (colon and rectal cancer), are the third most common type of cancer in men and women, resulting in nearly 50,000 deaths every year. Colon cancer is more common than people might think, which can cause the warning signs to be overlooked.
The signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer depend on the location of the cancer, how advanced it is and how it affects the organs and tissue. One sign or symptom alone may not be enough to determine the cause, but if several symptoms are present, a doctor can get a better idea of the potential cause.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer may not show up until the cancer has advanced. Because symptoms can go unnoticed during the early stages of the disease, guidelines recommend colon cancer screenings begin at age 50. Statistics show that regular screenings could prevent over 60 percent of deaths from colon cancer. Check out the early signs of colon cancer!