Colon Cancer - Can someone who has had it or know someone who has it please let me know what the symptoms are?

I just finished watching Montel and there was this guy on there that had symptoms similar to ones I've been having recently and he was diagnosed with colon cancer. I'm 30 years old now but have been suffering from digestive issues such as diahrreah, stomach burning and other symptoms such as fatigue, feeling as if I'm almost going to faint and headaches for several months now. I am fixing to get some health insurance so I can go see a doctor soon, but in the meantime can anyone please let me know the symptoms for colon cancer and how common is it in someone my age (30 year old female)?

Two of my sisters had colon cancer. One was misdiagnosed. But despite the fact that she knew something was seriously wrong, she postponed getting the proper tests for over two years, until it was too late. The other sister went at first sign of something wrong. She had a minor surgery and is fine. You better believe I get checked every year. You probably don't have cancer. But any chronic bowel problems need to be checked by a doctor. Good luck.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks
Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
Abdominal pain with a bowel movement
A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
Weakness or fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/colon_can...

Hi! I'm a 30 yo female too. My grandmother had it and she's now over it. Do you have family history?

It sounds more to me like you might be under alot of stress and might have irritable bowel syndrome or an ulcer or even indigestion. You could also have a food allergy. But the stress could cause the headaches and fatigue.

Be careful of watching things like that (don't get me wrong I LOVE Montel!) They are meant to inform, but not to diagnose. Definitely check with the dr. But I seriously doubt it's colon cancer.

I became a "nursing school hypochondriac" during nursing school because almost everything I learned about, I had symptoms of! LOL It's totally normal to try to relate to something you're hearing about. But don't stress over it. I'm not trying to belittle your feelings, please don't think I am. Just trying to help you cause I've been there.

But symptoms of colon cancer include bleeding (sometimes it's just a small amount and is only detectable through an occult stool test), pain, feeling like you have to go again even after you went, changes in bowel patterns, weight loss, etc. But keep in mind, alot of us have had all those symptoms, or most of them, at some time or another and were ok. Only your dr can say for sure.

Good luck! :-)

It is not common for someone in their 30's to have colon cancer, but it's not uncommon either. There are really no list of symptoms that will confirm that you have cancer. The only way to know for sure is to go to a gastroenterologist (stomach/digestive specialist) and begin testing. The first test would probably be a colonscopy.

I would suggest that you write down what you are eating throughout the day and when you are feeling ill in relation to when you last ate. It is a very good possibility that you might have Crohn's disease or IBS or ulcers or a stomach bacteria, H.pylori. Keep this journal starting now and take it with you to the doctor's appt.

Try to get your insurance asap as you really need to be seeing a doctor for your symptoms. Stress will make Crohn's disease, IBS, ulcers, worse. I know it's hard to not worry, but please dont.

I'm a 20 year old female and I've just finished 6 months of chemo for colon cancer.

The symptoms I experienced before being diagnosed were:
- rectal bleeding (had blood literally dripping out of my back)
- severe abdominal cramps
- went to the bathroom several times throughout the day
- feeling of not emptying my bowels fully (kind of like constipation)
- fainted a few times in the months before being diagnosed
- fatigue

It is rare for young people to get colon cancer, but it does happen, especially if you have a family history of it. Go to the doctor and get yourself checked out.