10 Common Cancers and Their Warning Signs

Colon and rectal cancers

Also called colorectal cancers, experts estimate that 140,250 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2018.

Signs include:

• Losing weight without trying
• Weakness and exhaustion
• Changes in your bowel habits (like constipation, diarrhea, or narrow stool) that lasts for more than a few days
• Pain in your stomach or gut that may come or go but lasts for more than a few days
• Pressure in your rectum or abdomen. This might feel like you constantly need to have a bowel movement.
• Blood in your stool (which may look dark red or black)
• Bleeding in your rectum. This may appear as bright red blood on toilet paper.

Colorectal cancers don’t always cause symptoms until they’re advanced. But signs of colorectal cancers can also be signs of other problems, like hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome. See your doctor if you have any of these problems.