Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 6 Months+: Medical Care Stages 0,1

If any of the following symptoms appear, or if symptoms occur that are not on the list but you are concerned anyhow, contact your doctor without delay. (See the document in “To Learn More.”) Let your doctor decide whether a symptom is important.

• Back pain for two days.
• Bleeding from the rectum (either dark or bright red blood).
• Continuous abdominal pain, bloating or fullness.
• Bowel movements as follows:
  • Constant urge to have a bowel movement, even after you just had one
  • Stool quality or color changes
  • Excess mucus secretions that accompany a bowel movement
• Constipation that is ongoing that does not respond to laxatives or other remedies described in our document about constipation. (link to A1413)
• Coughing
  • Coughing that doesn’t go away after three days.
  • Any coughing that produces green or yellow sputum.
• Diarrhea that is ongoing despite management tips which you can find by clicking here.
• Dizziness
• Eyes or skin seem yellow or suntanned
• Fever more than 100.5 degrees , or shaking chills.
• General malaise or fatigue or lack of appetite for more than a few days.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting that is ongoing. (To learn management techniques, click here)
• Neck stiffness
• Night sweats
• Pelvic pain
• Severe chills
• Trouble breathing: call 911.
• Urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Decreased urine flow
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Burning or pain while urinating
• Weight loss that is unexplained

NOTE:

• Report all unanticipated changes in your health to primary care physician as well as to your oncologist. The symptoms could relate to your cancer or to something else entirely.  An update by fax or email will do.   
• If you experience fatigue, work with your doctor to try to determine the cause. For example, fatigue could be a symptom of:
  • Depression: A psychologist can help improve functioning, especially one knowledgeable about the impact of cancer. Psychotropic medication may also help.
  • Hypothyroidism: Thyroid tests usually done routinely may not be specific enough for people with cancer treatment in their medical history. If thyroid problems are suspected, a specialist known as an endocrinologist will be able to accurately diagnose and treat them.
  • Anemia: A simple blood test can determine iron deficiency anemia. Some people may need iron supplementation. A change in eating habits may help.
  • Heart problems.
  • For tips about dealing with fatigue, click here.

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