These are the seven symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. Understand each one so you can recognize changes early and advocate for screening.
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Also called: rectal bleeding, blood in the stool
If you notice blood on your poop or on the toilet paper when you wipe, talk to your doctor. Call your primary care physician (PCP) first—if you don’t already have a gastroenterologist. Women, mention this to your OB-GYN if you don’t regularly see your PCP.
Bloody poop doesn’t necessarily mean you have colorectal cancer; however, any amount of rectal bleeding is not normal, and you need to figure out why you’re seeing blood in the toilet. Blood in the stool is a common symptom of colorectal cancer (as well as several other GI issues, including internal hemorrhoids).
Pay attention to these details:
Blood in your poop is not normal. If your doctor recommends over-the-counter remedies and suggestions, but you still have blood in your poop, don’t be embarrassed. Go back to your doctor for help.
Your doctor needs to stay motivated and determined to find the cause of your rectal bleeding. Don’t stop pushing and asking for screenings and tests until you find what is causing the bloody poop or symptoms—regardless of your age.
Also called: ongoing changes in bowel habits
Every poop is different, and every person poops differently. Poop can change because of what you’re eating, infections, medications you’re taking, or other medical issues. If you have not pooped for three days in a row —you should see a doctor.
Some people poop once per day; others poop a few times each day. If you notice your personal pooping schedule, or the way your poop looks, is changing—bring it up with your doctor. We know it can be embarrassing, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. We encourage, urge, or challenge you to talk to your doctor about what is off with your poop. This conversation could save your life.
The Bristol Stool Chart is a helpful guide that shows what your poop is trying to tell you.
A few reasons to call the doctor:
Also called: abdominal pains, stomach cramps
Severe abdominal pain is nothing to brush off.
If you’re experiencing gut-wrenching, knife-in-my-stomach type abdominal pains, visit an emergency room ASAP. You need to advocate for yourself to identify the cause of the pains; do not settle for medication that simply takes the pain away.
If you’re experiencing frequent, mild abdominal pains, it’s still important to get checked out and discover why.
Also called: narrow stools, thin stools, pencil-thin stools, ribbon-like stools
Some people may be used to thinner stools, but super thin, pencil-like stools are something to keep an eye on and report to your doctor. Skinny poops can be caused by a lot of things—some are harmless and temporary conditions, and others may be serious. Low-fiber diets, temporary infections, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colorectal cancer can all be at play.
Thin stools are a serious symptom because skinny poop may be caused by an obstruction in the colon, like a tumor. If you’re seeing skinny poop for more than a week, see a doctor.
For the most part, narrow stools that occur infrequently are not a cause for concern. But if you experience ribbon-like stools for more than a week, seek medical attention.
Also known as: unexplained weight loss
Just because you’re losing weight without trying doesn’t mean you have colorectal cancer. But it is one of the symptoms of colorectal cancer which is why it is important that you get this symptom evaluated.
Amongst cancer patients, weight loss is often a result of cancer cells consuming the body’s energy as they multiply. In addition, your immune system is spending more energy to fight and destroy cancer cells.
If colorectal cancer is the specific cause of your weight loss, this may be due to the tumor blocking the colon or intestinal tract, preventing proper nutrient absorption. If you’re losing weight and you don’t know why, ask your doctor to help you uncover the underlying cause.
Also known as: frequent gas pains, bloating, a feeling of fullness, or abdominal cramps
Most people release about 1 to 4 pints of gas a day and fart up to 21 times per day. (We’re not kidding!)
Any obstruction in the colon, including cancer, can hinder your ability to pass gas. The colon is located in the abdomen, so if colon cancer is the cause of your bloating or pain, it is not uncommon to feel discomfort in that area.
If you can’t fart, or if you have a persistent feeling of fullness or stomach cramping, talk to a doctor.
Also known as: muscle weakness, fatigue, anemia
Similar to losing weight without trying, colorectal cancer symptoms can disguise themselves as constant weakness and fatigue.
Since cancer cells multiply unchecked, the constant, extra energy consumption can cause you to feel very tired—even when you’re had enough sleep and rest. Chronic fatigue and muscle weakness are most likely a sign of an underlying medical condition, even if it is not caused by colorectal cancer.
Anemia, also known as having low red blood cell counts, can be caused by internal bleeding. Many patients have learned they’re anemic after they try to give blood and are told they cannot. Others may go for routine bloodwork and find out they’re anemic in the lab report. Anemia often points to a medical condition that needs to be discovered.
If you experience fatigue, muscle weakness (that’s not related to working out), and/or you find out you’re anemic, talk to your doctor. These are all symptoms that could suggest colorectal cancer.
If you are experiencing a symptom of colorectal cancer, it does not mean you have colorectal cancer. However, it does mean you need to see a doctor and get checked out. If you’re experiencing a lot of symptoms, or if a symptom is severe, see a doctor right away.
You cannot wish your symptoms away. Be proactive and get a jump on figuring out what’s wrong as early as possible.
Regardless of your age, if you’re experiencing symptoms, you need to tell your doctor. Don’t self-diagnose.
No! It’s not uncommon for people diagnosed in the early stages of colon cancer (stage I or II) to not experience any symptoms. Sometimes, but not always, it’s not until colorectal cancer has grown into stages III or IV that symptoms appear.
If caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable. Some patients who undergo screening have a polyp removed, or cancer discovered, yet had no idea anything was wrong.
YES: Do not wait until you have signs and symptoms before getting screened for colorectal cancer.
Problems found after you begin seeing signs and symptoms often could be avoided with on-time screening. Often, early-stage cancers do not present signs and symptoms.
It’s critical for you to get colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45. Age is one of the biggest factors that increases your risk.
Your age may increase your risk of getting colorectal cancer, but it won’t impact the symptoms. Anyone, at any age, can get colorectal cancer.
If you’re seeing symptoms, regardless of your age, talk to a doctor and push for colorectal cancer screening. If your doctor refuses to consider colorectal cancer because of your age, seek out a second opinion. Note: If you get a colonoscopy because of symptoms, this will be billed as a “diagnostic procedure” rather than preventive screening.
Colon cancer and rectal cancer are not the same as anal cancer. Symptoms of anal cancer can mimic signs of colorectal cancer.
Yes. Some symptoms may appear, disappear, or feel mild at first. Even if things seem to improve, it’s important to tell your doctor — temporary relief doesn’t always mean the problem is gone.
Yes. Some people notice fatigue, weakness, or anemia (low iron levels) before other symptoms. These can be early warning signs that something deeper is happening.
You can’t know for sure without talking to a healthcare provider. While hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome can cause similar symptoms, testing is the only way to confirm what’s going on.
