Once the black, tar-like stools, bloody bowel movements and severe bowel obstructions occur, it may already be too late. The appearance of colon cancer symptoms usually do not occur until patients are well into Stage III or Stage IV cancer.

Then, their only options are to undergo risky surgery and take chemotherapy drugs. However, if discovered during Stages 0 – II, doctors can usually remove the cancer through a colonoscope or a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Since the tests are uncomfortable, many Americans fail to take the proper precautions to protect themselves from this deadly, yet preventable, cancer.

This #3 killer preys on both men and women equally, causing more than 49,000 deaths each year. Many people are embarrassed to request a screening or admit to colon cancer symptoms, but this type of cancer is highly curable if detected in the earliest stages.

In reality, the tests are unpleasant but pale in comparison to the pain of cancer. Do not wait for the symptoms to deliver you a death sentence; get screened, exercise, eat healthy and enjoy your long, happy life.

Some of colon cancer symptoms arrive as abdominal pain in the lower abdomen, bloody stools, diarrhea, constipation, irregular bowel movements, narrow stools, anemia and sudden weight loss. However, colon cancer can be detected before symptoms even occur, when it is usually curable.

Some colon cancer screening tests include a sigmoidoscopy, a fecal occult blood test, a fecal DNA test, a virtual colonoscopy and a standard colonoscopy. The American Cancer Society recommends beginning these tests at age 50, since 90% of colon cancer is identified after this age.

The prognosis for treatment of colon cancer symptoms is really good if caught early. The five-year survival rate for patients in Stage I is 93%. Other survival rates are as follows; 70% for Stage II, 56% for Stage III and 7% for Stage IV. As one can see, the results vary drastically, depending on how early colon cancer symptoms are spotted.

Once the cancer has metastasized and spread throughout the body to other organs, like the liver, lungs, bladder, uterus and prostate, it can be very hard to eradicate. Regular screenings should begin at age 50 to ensure the best colon cancer treatment and the brightest prognosis.