Cancer causes rapid growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the body that destroy healthy cells. It is called colon cancer when it develops in the intestinal tract leading to the colon or rectum. While colon cancer has no cure, identifying its symptoms in time can help doctors confirm its presence and recommend treatments to improve the patient’s quality of life. Here are some early warning signs of colon cancer to look out for. Dark stools Cancer destroys healthy cells in the colon and triggers bleeding. When the blood mixes with the stools during bowel movements, it changes the shade of the feces to a dark reddish tinge. This is a clear sign of bleeding in the intestinal tract or the rectum. Some patients also experience external bleeding while passing dark stools with aggressive colon cancer. However, since hemorrhoids can also cause rectal bleeding, it is vital to monitor the progression of this symptom. With hemorrhoids, the bleeding comes and goes with flare-ups. However, with colon cancer, the bleeding persists and worsens as the disease progresses. Erratic changes in bowel movements Since colon cancer develops in the intestinal tract connecting to the rectum, it affects the frequency of a person’s bowel movements.