Expert: Karen Brawner - 12/17/2002

Question
Whether consistent incomplete bowel epmtying is a symptom for colon cancer ?  

Answer
Dear A Venkatesan,  Anytime there is a change in bowel movement from your normal BM there could be a problem...

Doctors tell us that if you have a change from your normal bowel movement that lasts longer than 5-10 days, then you need to seek medical help.  Bowel movement changes are:
diarrhea
constipation
feeling like you still have to have a BM after you have         already had a bowel movement
feeling of fullness
blood in the stool or in the BM itself

If you have any of these symptoms that have lasted longer than 5-10 days, you need to see your doctor.  There are many things that can happen to the intestines and the colon. These things are:
twisted intestine/colon
colon polyps
diverticulosis
tumor(s)
cancer

I hope this helps and thank you,  Karen