6 Silent Signs of Colon Cancer You Might Be Missing

You learn you’re anemic

A diagnosis of anemia may be the first sign that you’re bleeding internally, even if you haven’t seen any signs of it. “If a woman is menstruating, anemia is less likely to be followed up with additional tests to see if it could be something else, like colon cancer,” says Randall Holcombe, MD, chief medical officer, cancer, at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. “If a man is anemic, you assume he’s bleeding from somewhere.” It’s not uncommon for people to bleed internally for up to six months before anything shows up in the stool, says Patricia Raymond, MD, a fellow at the American College of Gastroenterology. If you experience any signs of anemia, such as fatigue or dizziness, see a doctor.