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Warning-sign checks

Small intestine 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

    Seek emergency care for:

    • Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain
    • A swollen abdomen with an inability to pass stool or gas
    • Persistent vomiting or an inability to keep fluids down
    • Vomiting blood, heavy rectal bleeding, or black tar-like stool with weakness
    • Fainting, confusion, severe breathlessness, or cold and clammy skin

    These may indicate bowel obstruction, major bleeding, perforation, or another serious complication.

    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 has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    If you are receiving treatment, contact your cancer team promptly about a fever, uncontrolled diarrhea, repeated vomiting, increasing pain, poor fluid intake, or side effects that are difficult to manage.

    Use the urgent contact instructions provided by your treatment team.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if you have persistent abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, repeated nausea, a lasting change in bowel habits, unusual tiredness, or possible blood in your stool.

    These symptoms often have causes other than cancer, but they should be assessed if they continue or worsen.

    And for anyone, someone who:

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

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