symptoms of colon cancer are numerous and nonspecific. they include fatigue weakness shortness of breath change in bowel habits narrow stools diarrhea or constipation red or dark blood in stool weight loss abdominal pain cramps or bloating. other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon) ulcerative colitis crohn's disease diverticulosis and peptic ulcer disease can have symptoms that mimic colorectal cancer. colon cancer can be present for several years before symptoms develop. symptoms vary according to where in the large bowel the tumor is located. the right colon is spacious and cancers of the right colon can grow to large sizes before they cause any abdominal symptoms. typically right-sided cancers cause iron deficiency anemia due to the slow loss of blood over a long period of time. iron deficiency anemia causes fatigue weakness and shortness of breath. the left colon is narrower than the right colon. therefore cancers of the left colon are more likely to cause partial or complete bowel obstruction. cancers causing partial bowel obstruction can cause symptoms of constipation narrowed stool diarrhea abdominal pains cramps and bloating. bright red blood in the stool may also indicate a growth near the end of the left colon or rectum.
what are the symptoms of colon cancer?