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.

In my case, I was experiencing shortness of breath and general weakness when my doctor sent me for blood work and my hemoglobin was low. I was sent for a colonoscopy, (my second in two years) which returned negative. For almost two years, the weakness and shortness of breath escalated and progressive diarrhea continued until the doctor sent me for gallbladder studies, which showed stones. Gallbladder removed, symptoms remained. Three months post-op, my hemoglobin was at 7.2 - a critical situation - and I was immediately admitted to the hospital for transfusions and testing, which included another colonoscopy. A very large malignant tumor was discovered in my ascending colon. The tumor, along with 30% of my colon, was removed and I underwent chemotherapy for six months. I'm three months out of chemo and living once again in my own home. I am convinced that the tumor was missed on the prior colonoscopy, although three doctors reviewed the films and deny it was visible at the time. In any event, despite doing what seemed like the prudent thing, I still developed cancer, so there are no guarantees. Ever.