Comments on: What are Early Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Watch out for Small Changes

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:40:40 +0000

If you mean he is having black stools or diarrhea, that can be a sign of blood somewhere in the intestinal tract, including the upper part of the colon.

It is critical that he talk to a doctor and have a colonoscopy as well as tests for stomach problems.

By: JUDY IRVIN CRAWLEY

JUDY IRVIN CRAWLEY — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:32:38 +0000

my brother has a black retum what is wrong

By: Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:12:59 +0000

Al,

Unexplained anemia is one of the symptoms of colorectal cancer.

When someone has low red blood counts, it is important to find out why. A colonoscopy should be part of the work-up.

Both some polyps and some cancers bleed. Since they don’t bleed all the time, tests that look for blood in the stool can miss them. They can also find blood from other problems higher in the intestinal tract like stomach ulcers.

That’s why a colonoscopy is so important when someone has anemia for which there is no real known cause.

Iron supplements may help — or they may just mask a problem.

Other symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

** Changes in bowel habits including persistent diarrhea or constipation.

** A feeling that the bowel isn’t emptying completely when you go to the bathroom.

** Bright red or very dark red blood in the stool or black, tarry stools.

** Very thin stools.

** Abdominal discomfort including frequent gas pain, abdominal fullness, cramping, or bloating.

** Weight loss with with no apparent reason.

** Constant fatigue or tiredness.

** Unexplained anemia.

Of course, there are many other reasons for these symptoms. They don’t necessarily mean cancer.

But it is critical to evaluate what they do mean, including getting a colonoscopy.

By: Al B

Al B — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:34:49 +0000

I am scheduled for screening and was advised the symptoms I have been experiencing for three years would have become much worse and detected if from cancer. Then I read the attached. “tarted at age 28 and diagnosed a age 43″ I have used several home test kits for blod detection all neg. Would blood likely be detected it a cancer was present?

“Hello Dr. Lenz,
It took a while for me to find you but I am delighted to again get to read your blogs.

Could you please expand on this topic about early symptoms of colorectal cancer?

I personally had anemia for numerous years before being diagnosed at age 43. I am told my cancer probably started when I was around 28. I was always pointed towards iron supplements. I eventually just thought being anemic was normal. Had I only had a doctor who investigated a little deeper.”

By: Heinz-Josef Lenz

Heinz-Josef Lenz — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:18:26 +0000

Linda, thanks for sharing your concerns and symptomps. I would certainly if these are ongoing symptoms consider work up wiht laboratory including liver, kidney function and some markers such as CEA and CA19-9 as well as a CT scan to make sure there is nothing in your belly. bloating can be a symptom of incomplete digestion which can be stomach, bile or pancreas issues. did you loose weight, you have smelly stool? floating? any nausea with or without eating, you should discuss this with your MD, also what kind of cancer was in your family what gut? HJL

By: Heinz Josef Lenz

Heinz Josef Lenz — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 01:04:31 +0000

glad to hear you are doing well and happy you find me. HJLO

By: Linda Stout

Linda Stout — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:03:49 +0000

Hello Dr. Lenz,
It took a while for me to find you but I am delighted to again get to read your blogs.

Could you please expand on this topic about early symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Thank you for your time. I love reading your blogs and wish I lived closer to California.
Michigan fan (Linda Stout)

By: greta

greta — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:37:37 +0000

It seems that much of the medical profession is locked into outdated guidlines for colon cancer screening. The age of 50 to start screening for example, with the fastest growing age group being diagnosed with CRC is 25-35 years of age. The refusal to remove hyperplastic polyps when some of the latest studies have shown they are not absolutely benign, and can be a precursor to malignancy.