What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

Q: Could my weight loss and stomach pain mean colon cancer?

A: Colon cancer symptoms can include weight loss, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, bowel movement changes, thinner stools, low blood count, and anemia. However, the beginning stages of colon cancer may not have any symptoms at all.

The colon, which functions as part of your digestive system, absorbs water and nutrients and formulates your stool.

Getting screened is critical because colon cancer can be without symptoms. The most common and best colon screening test is a colonoscopy. This test uses a colonoscope with a light at the end inserted into the rectum that allows the gastroenterologist to look for polyps and other abnormalities within the colon.

Average-risk patients - those without a family history of colon cancer - should have a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50. Colon cancer is 20 percent more dominant in African Americans than Caucasians. Therefore, African Americans should get screened every 10 years beginning at age 45.

Many people believe family history determines the likelihood of developing colon cancer. This is false. In fact, family history is linked to only a small percentage of cases.

You may hesitate to schedule a colonoscopy, but the preparation and actual procedure are easy and pain free. While you are under intravenous anesthesia, the gastroenterologist will use the colonoscope to fully examine your colon and remove any polyps detected. This 15-minute procedure could save your life.

Should you be diagnosed with colon cancer, you may need surgery to remove the cancerous growth and may need to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.

Colon cancer is preventable if caught during the polyp stage. A colonoscopy is the best way to detect and remove polyps. Over the last decade, colon cancer cases have decreased by two to three percent each year because of increased awareness and screenings. See your doctor to learn more.