Colon can.cer survivors share how they ‘knew’ it was time to see a doctor

His symptoms eventually pushed him to schedule a doctor’s visit after his wife expressed concern one evening at dinner, saying: “You are literally melting away before my eyes. What’s it going to take to get you to go to the doctor?”

Medical professionals strongly advise people not to delay contacting their doctor if they notice any of these symptoms.

“Things like diarrhoea and constipation are so general that they could be due to many possible causes,” Richards explains.

“None of them necessarily means that you have colorectal cancer. But if a symptom is persistent, rather than a one-time issue, it should at least warrant a conversation with your doctor.

“And, some symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, black stools, and anaemia, should prompt a visit to your doctor, if they haven’t already been evaluated.”