EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) – March is colon cancer awareness month and on Friday, people dress in blue to help raise awareness about the disease.
In the United States, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women, but it is preventable and curable if detected early.
HSHS Sacred Heart Hospital nurse Michael Lucore said the most important thing to watch for is changes in weight and bowel movements, especially when there has been no change in diet and lifestyle.
People should start screening for colon cancer at 40 or 50, but Lucore said it is critical to be open and honest with your doctor if you are showing symptoms early.
“You can see and recognize some of the early signs and symptoms, and have an honest conversation with your doctor,” said Lucore.
HSHS officials say the following are some symptoms of colon cancer:
- Blood in the stool or stool
- Recurrent changes in normal bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation for no known reason
- Slimming of stool
- Increased stomach discomfort (bloating, gas, fullness and / or cramps that last more than a few days)
- A feeling that the intestine does not empty completely
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Constant and unexplained fatigue