Mercy Surgical Oncologist Dr. Kurtis Campbell Discusses Subtle Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colon cancer signs for women and men should not be ignored.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 140,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year in America.

Rectal bleeding is the most obvious colon cancer symptom, but there are other, more subtle signs, like learning you're anemic. It may be the first sign that you're bleeding internally.

Other signs are you can't catch your breath, you feel bloated or crampy and you have severe constipation.

According to Kurtis A. Campbell, M.D., a Board Certified surgical oncologist of Surgical Oncology at Mercy Medical Center, the most important thing anyone can do is to get screened.

"The state-of-the-art guidelines speak toward your initial index screening colonoscopy occurring when you are aged 45. Even sooner, should you be someone who is a high risk," Dr. Campbell said.

Dr. Campbell added that it is important to stop smoking, drink in moderation or not at all, avoid processed meats and red meat, exercise and maintain a good weight.

View Mercy surgical oncologist Dr. Kurtis Campbell’s interview regarding symptoms of colorectal cancer.