Colon cancer is one of the common types of cancer, but its early warning symptoms may often be ignored. Experts recommend that one visit their healthcare professional regularly for screening to facilitate early diagnosis of colon cancer. The following are some early warning symptoms of colon cancer one should be aware of:

• Unexplained weight loss
  Sudden and unexpected weight loss can be a sign of colon cancer. If one is not trying to lose weight but still lose over 10 pounds within 6 months, it might be an early warning symptom of colon cancer. A huge portion of the body’s energy is used up by the cancer cells, and the immune system also uses energy to fight the disease. Apart from these, the cancer cells also release certain substances that interfere with how the food consumed converts into energy. All of these can lead to weight loss.
• Weakness and fatigue
  As cancer cells use the body’s energy, patients often experience fatigue and tiredness. This symptom could also be a result of blood loss at times, and weight loss can also change one’s bowel habits, which may add to the weakness. One may ignore the signs of fatigue as it is a common side effect of a busy schedule, but if fatigue lasts over long periods and one feels weak constantly, they must visit a doctor at the earliest.
• Abdominal pain
  One of the most prominent early warning symptoms of colon cancer is abdominal cramps, as the large intestine is where colon cancer starts. The disease disrupts one’s bowel habits, resulting in cramping, pain, and bloating in the abdomen. At the same time, abdominal pain is a common occurrence for many people, so it is often ignored. If one’s pain starts suddenly and lasts for a long period, it’s best to visit a doctor.
• Blood in the stool
  Color cancer can often result in blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectum otherwise. While it is sometimes clearly visible as bright red spots, one may not be able to see the blood with a naked eye in some cases. Often, dry blood in the stool can make it black or dark as well. Cancer can also lead to bleeding in the lower colon, which causes rectal bleeding. If one notices any of these warning signs, they should consult a doctor for further examination.
• Changes in bowel habits
  Another prominent early warning symptom of colon cancer is changes in stool consistency. The stool may become thinner than usual, and one’s frequency of bowel movements will also change.

If one notices any of these early warning symptoms of colon cancer, they should visit a doctor as early diagnosis increases the chances of successfully treating the disease.