Bowel cancer, also called colon or rectal cancer, is one of the most common cancers. It is the fourth most common cancer in the United States, and around 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.The time it's found makes a huge difference in how well a person does. Catching the disease early makes a huge difference in survival. If the cancer is caught in the very first stage (Stage One), people have a 90% chance of living for five years or more. That's excellent odds. But if it's found much later (Stage Four), the chance of living five years or more drops to only 10%. The lesson is clear: early checking and spotting symptoms can save lives. Key Early Warning Signs of Colon Cancer A doctor known as "Dr. Ben", also known as Medicina y Mente online has highlighted four main signs that could point to early bowel cancer. He stressed that if you see these, you should go to your doctor as soon as possible, especially since some of these symptoms only show up when you use the toilet. Here are the four key things to look out for: Blood in your stool: This is one of the most common early alarms. Changes in how you go to the toilet: This doesn't mean just one bad day. It means a big difference in your normal habits, such as going from being constipated (having hard, difficult-to-pass stool) to suddenly having diarrhea. Losing a lot of weight for no reason: If you lose a significant amount of weight without changing how you eat or how much you exercise, it is a concern. Feeling extremely tired (fatigue): This is tiredness that doesn't go away, even after rest. This is only a worry if there's no other clear reason for the tiredness. What Are Some Other Symptoms Of Colon Cancer? It's natural to feel shy, but the NHS strongly advises people to see a doctor if they have been experiencing any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or longer. Doctors and nurses talk about these things all the time, so please don't be embarrassed. Other symptoms of colon cancer that the NHS mentions include: Bleeding from your bottom.The constant feeling like you need to go to the toilet, even if you just went.Pain in your tummy (abdomen).Feeling a lump in your tummy.Feeling bloatedFeeling short of breath.If your stool is very black or dark red, or you have bloody diarrhea, you need to call 111 or get an urgent appointment with your GP. While these symptoms don't always mean cancer, it is very important to get checked to find out what the problem is. How To Prevent Colon Cancer? The best defense against bowel cancer is screening. The NHS offers home testing kits for everyone between the ages of 50 and 74. These home tests can be analyzed to look for tiny signs of cancer even before you feel sick or notice any symptoms. This is the most effective way to catch cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage.