It is important to know the possible symptoms of colon cancer. Other possible signs include stomach discomfort, a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely, weight loss and constant fatigue. Surgery is the usual treatment to remove the cancer. Often, no further treatment is necessary. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiation therapy are needed.
Most people recover fully and can return to their normal lifestyle.
For early detection, a digital rectal exam is recommended every year starting at age 40. The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has a special clinic devoted to colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers with a number of experts who collaborate on the care of each patient. This information is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for professional care.