4. Feeling of Incomplete Bowel Movements (Tenesmus)
If you often feel like you still need to go to the bathroom even after just having a bowel movement, it may be due to a tumor obstructing the colon. This condition, called tenesmus, creates the sensation of incomplete evacuation, even if the bowels are empty.
5. Frequent Cramps or Gas Pains
Mild cramps or bloating are normal, but persistent, unexplained abdominal discomfort could indicate a growing tumor in the colon. The blockage caused by the tumor can trap gas and waste, leading to discomfort, bloating, and irregular bowel movements.
6. Unusual Appetite Changes
A sudden loss of appetite without explanation might be linked to colon cancer. As tumors grow, they can cause systemic inflammation, which disrupts normal hunger signals and digestion, leading to a lack of interest in food.
7. Anemia Without a Clear Cause
If blood tests reveal low iron levels (anemia), but there’s no obvious reason—such as a poor diet or heavy menstruation—it may be due to hidden blood loss from colon cancer. Many early-stage colon cancers bleed internally, and this slow blood loss can go unnoticed until anemia develops. Symptoms of anemia include pale skin, dizziness, cold hands and feet, and shortness of breath.