In some cases, people with colon cancer have no abnormal symptoms, so they do not know that they have cancer. Also, there are other diseases with similar symptoms, which can confuse the issue.  However, it is important to seek medical attention when the following symptoms appear:
 

• Diarrhea, constipation or bloating
• Blood, bright red or very dark, in the stool
• Narrowing of stools
• Abdominal discomfort, burning sensation, bloating and clamping
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue or weakness
• Anemia

Colon cancer screening is a method of helping to prevent colon cancer by find the polyps before they turn into cancer.  Men and women should begin screening at age 50.  The screening can be performed in the following ways:
 

• Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is a test that looks for the presence of polyp or cancer cells.  Annual testing with this method significantly reduces colon cancer mortality, while biennial testing reduces mortality rates from colon cancer by 18%.   
• Sigmoidoscope is a procedure where a doctor inserts a tube through the anus to the lower part of the colon so as to examine for polyps, abnormalities and cancer.  Using this method, the doctor can cut any abnormal polyps and extract them for further examination. 
• Colonoscopy enables visual inspection of the entire large bowel and specimen collection for biopsy.  
• Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) and CT scan are alternative methods when patients cannot undergo colonoscopy. 

Doctors use a range of tests to diagnose cancer and determine if it has spread to other organs.  The method of diagnosis varies depending on several factors, such as age and health of the patient, type of cancer, severity of symptoms and earlier test results.  Diagnosis of colon cancer can be performed in the following ways:
 

• Biopsy, which involves taking small amounts of tissue samples from the patient, is the most accurate method of detecting colon cancer and providing biomolecular predictors of cancer.
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a blood test used to determine the amount of red blood cells or measure the amount of a protein.
• CT Scan is used to find the location of the cancer and determine how far it has spread to other parts of the body.
• Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to determine how much the cancer has spread to the lungs or other organs. 
• Chest X-ray is used to determine how much the cancer has spread to the lungs.
• PET Scan is a test that involves the injection of a radioactive substance into an organ or tissue in order to create images that can be examined.

Treatment of colon cancer requires a multidisciplinary team of physicians such as surgeons, radiologists and cancer specialists who together will make the most suitable treatment plan for each individual patient.  The doctors will make their decision based on the following factors:
 

• Size, location and characteristics of the cancer cells
• Stage of disease and spread of cancer
• Patient’s general health

• Surgery
• Radiotherapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted Therapy
• Angiogenesis