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Warning-sign checks

Colorectal cancer: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services for sudden severe abdominal pain, a hard or very swollen abdomen, collapse, severe breathing difficulty, or heavy bleeding.

    These may indicate perforation, complete obstruction, a blood clot, or major blood loss.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    A fever during chemotherapy needs prompt advice because treatment can reduce infection-fighting white blood cells.

    Follow the temperature threshold and instructions supplied by your treatment team.

    Seek urgent medical care for:

    • Repeated vomiting with increasing abdominal swelling
    • Severe constipation with an inability to pass gas
    • Significant bleeding, dizziness, or fainting
    • New severe pain or rapidly worsening symptoms
    • Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine or marked weakness
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you develop rectal bleeding, a lasting change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, ongoing abdominal discomfort, or unusual tiredness.

    These symptoms often have a non-cancerous cause, but they should be assessed if they persist or recur.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss

The article also says

If you have already been treated, contact your cancer team about new symptoms, worsening treatment effects, changes around a stoma, or problems eating, drinking, or passing stool.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Colorectal cancer. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.