March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. 

Many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused by other problems, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Often colorectal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. That’s why doctors say it is best to be tested for it before ever having any symptoms. Here are some of the signs and symptoms you should look for:

1. A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days.

2. A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one.

3. Rectal bleeding with bright red blood.

4. Blood in the stool, which might make it look dark brown or black.

5. Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain.

6. Weakness and fatigue.

7. Losing weight without trying

If you have symptoms that might be caused by colorectal cancer, or if a screening test shows something not normal, your doctor will want to do more testing to find the cause.