Colon cancer is a serious medical concern, and it needs to be detected early to give you the best chance for a positive result. In New York, NY,  Dr. Daniel Alpert, a board-certified gastroenterologist, can help you understand what to look for and when to plan a visit to his office.

One of the issues with getting an early diagnosis of colon cancer is that the types of symptoms that you may experience are not exclusive to colon cancer. They can just as easily be a symptom of many other conditions. Considering it is vital that colon cancer in New York, NY, needs to be caught early, you may want to talk to Dr. Alpert about how often you need to get an examination. If you have a family history of colon cancer, you are at higher risk than most people, so you may want to start colonoscopy screening earlier than the 45 years of age suggested. 

Another thing that you need to consider is that, in many cases, there are no early symptoms of colon cancer. The disease has progressed beyond the early stage by the time significant symptoms occur. You may want to get an exam before you have any symptoms. 

Early symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Rectal bleeding (bright red blood)
• Blood in stools (black or dark brown)
• A narrowing of the stool
• The feeling you need to move your bowels even after just going
• Diarrhea or constipation for more than just a few days
• Unexplained abdominal pain or cramping
• Unintended weight loss
• Fatigue or excessive tiredness
• A diagnosis of anemia
• Women with bloating that doesn’t go away or is combined with unexplained weight loss

What Comes Next

Suppose you have one or more of the potential early symptoms of colon cancer, or you have an increased risk due to your family history. In that case, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist as soon as possible to discuss what to do next. A colonoscopy can give you a definitive answer. Getting your first colonoscopy can be intimidating, but the procedure is not something to dread. The prep is the most difficult part, and it is necessary to empty your bowels so that the doctor can get a good look at what is going on in your colon. 

Give Us a Call

To learn more about the early signs of colon cancer in New York, NY, contact Dr. Alpert. You can reach our office at (212) 599-7910 or message us through our website. Don't waste time. If you have any of these signs, getting the required examination can give you peace of mind.