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You might not have symptoms in the early stages of colon or rectal cancer. It usually starts by growing slowly on the inside wall of the bowel.

Below are some of the symptoms you can get if you have colon or rectal cancer. You should see your doctor if you get any of these. Your symptoms may not be caused by cancer, but it's important to get them checked out.

You might:

• Need to go to the bathroom more or less often than usual
• Be constipated or have diarrhea for no obvious reason
• Get an urge to have a bowel movement when there is no need to have one.

These are common symptoms and can be caused by many different conditions. But they could be a sign that your colon or rectum is partly blocked by a lump of cancer cells (a tumor). So you should get it checked by your doctor.

You might also notice blood or dark-colored spots in your stool. This happens because there is bleeding inside your bowel. As a tumor gets bigger, feces passing through your colon and rectum can rub against the tumor and make it bleed.

This is a common symptom of colon and rectal cancer, but it's also a symptom of many other problems, such as hemorrhoids. Only 1 in 5 people who have bleeding from their rectum have rectal cancer.¹

If a tumor blocks your colon or your rectum, you can get one or more of the following symptoms:

• Frequent gas
• Bloating
• Always feeling full
• Feeling queasy or vomiting
• Cramping pain or swelling in your lower belly.

You might feel tired and notice that your skin is looking pale. This is a caused by a condition called anemia. It can happen when a tumor causes severe bleeding inside your bowel.

You might also lose your appetite or notice that you're losing weight. This could happen if your bowel is blocked by a tumor.

The cancer cells in your tumor might spread to other parts of your body. If this happens, you can get symptoms in these different places.

For example, some people with colon or rectal cancer get an aching pain around their liver or in their bones. If the cancer cells have gotten into your bladder, you might need to urinate more often.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor can give you tests to see what is causing them.

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.