First let me start this post by saying that I’m not an expert on colon cancer. My life has indirectly been affected by it so I get to vicariously experience what it can do.

One of the first signs we noticed in hind sight was blood in or on the stool. If you think you have an ‘annoyed’ hemorrhoid that is fighting back by bleeding, get it checked out.

The second sign we noticed was low iron count. Being a regular blood donor we were surprised when we were turned away due to low iron count. Anemia is an indication that something is wrong.

These were the two signs that we saw and realized that something had to be done.

Other signs of colon cancer are:

• Change in bowel habits. Sometimes this is difficult to detect depending on your dietary habits. If you have not changed your dietary habits but your bowel habits change, whether it’s constipation or diarrhea, you might want to get yourself checked.

• Abdominal pain/discomfort, gas or cramps

• Unexplained weight loss

• Thin stools

Don’t Explain the Symptoms Away

Normally healthy people (especially men), explain away these symptoms. After all, gas and abdominal discomfort can occur from eating foods that are known to cause gas or eating something that disagrees with you.

If you are 50 or older, go and get a colonoscopy whether or not you have symptoms. If you have symptoms and are younger than 50, don’t wait until you’re 50 to get one.

One of the best defenses against colon cancer is early detection. The few hours of the inconvenience of going for the colonoscopy is nothing in comparison to adding years to your life by early detection.