Doctor Lists Five Colon Cancer Warning Signs Beyond Stomach Pain

Dr. Jetsada Bunyavongvirooj, deputy director of Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, has posted five warning signs of colon cancer that people should not ignore, noting that early-stage colon cancer does not necessarily cause abdominal pain. While many people experience common digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome, it is important to distinguish between minor digestive complaints and serious warning signs that warrant medical evaluation.

The five warning signs are: (1) A clear change in bowel habits, such as a shift from daily bowel movements to constipation lasting several days or alternating between loose stools and constipation, or a persistent feeling of incomplete evacuation; (2) Blood in stool or abnormally dark stools—while people often assume bright red blood indicates hemorrhoids, bleeding from the colon or rectum can also occur, and sometimes blood is present in amounts too small to see without testing; (3) Anemia, fatigue, or easy tiring even without visible blood loss, as some colon cancers can cause slow, chronic bleeding undetectable to the naked eye; (4) Unintentional weight loss despite maintaining the same diet and activity level, which can accompany loss of appetite and fatigue; and (5) Changes in existing abdominal pain or bloating patterns, such as increased frequency or severity of symptoms. Dr. Jetsada emphasizes that while not all these symptoms indicate cancer, persistent or multiple simultaneous symptoms warrant investigation rather than self-diagnosis as simple digestive trouble.