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Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. The following symptoms, however, may indicate colon cancer:
With proper screening, colon cancer can be detected BEFORE the development of symptoms, when it is most curable.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam and press on your belly area. The physical exam rarely shows any problems, although an abdominal mass may be felt. A rectal exam may reveal a mass in patients with rectal cancer, but not colon cancer.
Imaging tests to diagnose colorectal cancer include:
Note: Only colonoscopy can see the entire colon.
A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) may detect small amounts of blood in the stool, which could suggest colon cancer. However, this test is often negative in patients with colon cancer. For this reason, a FOBT must be done along with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. It is also important to note that a positive FOBT doesn't necessarily mean you have cancer.
A complete blood count may reveal show signs of anemia with low iron levels.
If your doctor learns that you do have colorectal cancer, additional tests will be done to see if the cancer has spread. This is called staging.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Routine Aspirin or Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for the Primary Prevention of Colorectal Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med . 2007 Mar 6;146 (5): 361-364.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2006. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2006.
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