When To See A Doctor

Knowing when to see a doctor when colon cancer is suspected is difficult to find out or anticipate because many symptoms of colon cancer are similar to those of other, less serious illnesses. The fatigue and shortness of breath can simply be caused by low physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle. A change in bowel habits, such as narrow stools or diarrhea, weight loss, bloating and abdominal pain could be the result of indigestion, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome or some other gastrointestinal illness.

Seeking Medical Attention

The tip-off that you should seek medical attention lies in the persistence of the symptoms. Occasional bouts of abdominal pain and bloating or irregular bowel movements would not necessarily indicate the presence of colon cancer – or any other serious gastrointestinal illness – but extended periods of pain and/or discomfort not relieved by over-the-counter stomach medication, tends to indicate the presence of a more serious disease. However, it’s advisable to go in for checkups if you feel that you might suffer from colon cancer or if you’re predisposed to develop the disease.

Bloody stools

One of the most obvious symptoms is blood in the stool, either dark or bright red. Any indication of blood in the stool should be a cause of concern and indicate clearly when to see a doctor: right away. The cause could be something as benign as hemorrhoids, but it’s better to know for sure what the cause is. There are other serious illnesses, like a perforated ulcer or intestinal hemorrhage that also have a bloody stool as a symptom. Blood in the stool can indicate both late stage and early stage cancer. Other general symptoms that should “tell” you when to see a doctor, if they persist, are: constipation, narrowing of the stool, stomach cramps, fatigue and anemia.

Late Stage Symptoms

Obviously, detecting cancer in the late stages is not ideal. It increases the probability of a poor prognosis and makes treatment a lot more complicated. Unfortunately, there are cases when colon cancer is completely asymptomatic, until its late stages, and is impossible to detect unless the patient comes in for his annual checkup. Many people who experience slight colon cancer symptoms start asking around when to see a doctor, but instead of losing precious time with questions, they should head in for a checkup that same day.

Grounds for Concern

If you have any of the following lifestyle or family history issues that are common amongst those who develop colon cancer, it would be wise to see a doctor immediately: family history of cancer or polyps in the colon, bowel diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Also, if you have an unhealthy lifestyle outlined by lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and a poor nutrition that can be described as high in animal fat and low in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, then, you should make some time to go in for a checkup and afterwards, see your doctor regularly. A healthy option for prevention is to have your colon regularly cleansed.