What are the signs of colon cancer?

My mother had colon cancer that went into her lymphnodes. Ironically, the symptom that sent her to the doctors was a little bit of shortness of breath on exertion. What happened was that she had been bleeding on the inside and the blood loss is what had caused her shortness of breath. By the time it was discovered, she was so difficient in blood that she needed a transfusion and according to the doctor, "lucky to be standing." Later we put all the pieces together and realized that her ribbon like or "jagged edged" stools were another sign, as was her itching. Itching is a sign of anemia which she had due to the loss of blood. It is often an overlooked symptom.

Colan cancer is usually detected when a person has a colonscopy and polyps are removed and tested. There are very few early signs of the cancer if any. Unusal bleeding from rectum during bowel movements can be one, but this can also be from hemmroids. As the cancer progresses you can have severe abdomial pain and mayby a blockage ( can't pass stool or pass only liquid). Everyone should have a colonscopy before age 50. If you have any abnornal pain or are just worried, see your doctor.