Table 1 Number of patients with abdominal symptoms recorded during consultation, and between consultation and diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer

Patient sex (Male / Female)

231/280

35/59

22/43

5/13

9/16

13/16

Patient age (Median / Mean / Range)

71/69/28–96

75/71/39–92

73/71/39–92

75/70/49–86

New < 180 days / New > 180 days / Recurrent

307/134/ 70

55/25/14

37/20/8

18/5/6

Abdominal symptoms

Abdominal pain, upper part

45

14

9

13

3

5

3

6

5

Abdominal pain, lower part

37

14

9

15

3

5

3

8

5

Constipation

22

13

7

6

2

1

2

2

6

2

Diarrhea

16

10

5

4

4

2

5

3

Distended abdomen, bloating

27

12

7

4

5

Increased belching, flatulence

17

6

3

1

1

3

Acid regurgitation

14

5

1

1

4

Rectal bleeding

18

16

8

13

3

6

6

8

8

Unexpected genital bleeding

4

Haematuria, macroscopic

7

Increased urinary frequency

14

2

1

1

1

Other abdominal problems

34

6

5

2

 2

2

1

Only one abdominal symptom

66

21

13

11

 2

3

7

2

8

5

More than one abdominal symptom

63

23

13

17

 3

5

7

8

10

2

Any abdominal symptom

129 (25%)

44 (47%)

26 (40%)

28

 5

8

14

10

18 (62%)

7

No symptom recorded

382

50

39

11

 13^b

5

11^b

1

11

4

Non-specific symptoms (given at least one abdominal symptom)

Lack of appetite

26

10

7

3

 1

1

3

1

3

Unusual tiredness

25

9

6

3

 1

1

2

1

3

1

Involuntary weight loss

18

6

3

7

3

3

2

3

3

Only one general symptom

24

5

4

6

 1

3

1

1

1

2

More than one general symptom

19

9

6

3

 1

1

4

1

3

1

Any general symptom

43 (33%)

14 (32%)

10 (38%)

9

 2

4

5

2

4 (22%)

3