What Are Some Signs Of Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is one such disease which may be present in your body for a very long time without showing any signs and symptoms. Thus, if there is any history of cancer in your family, it is advisable to go for regular screenings and checkups to help detect signs of colon cancer in order to prevent the disease from spreading. When the signs and symptoms of cancer begin showing, you will notice a change in your normal lifestyle. Depending upon the size of the tumor in your intestine or colon, the symptoms and signs will vary from person to person. So even if you experience two symptoms out of the list, it is a good idea to show yourself to a doctor to get screened. Sometimes the symptoms may result from other diseases such as Bowel Inflammatory Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome and not cancer. These conditions can be cured but it is not wise to rule out the possibility of cancer. The signs of colon cancer usually include a change in daily bowel habits which includes diarrhea and constipation and a change in the consistency of the bowel, pencil thin stools, blood in your rectum or your stools, chronic abdominal pain and cramps, gas, abdominal discomfort during bowel movement, a continuous want to defecate even when bowel has completely passed and unexplained weight loss. Although blood in the stools is a major sign of colon cancer, it is possible that it can also be due to certain foods consumed like red meat, or minor tears in the anus. Some iron supplements and anti-diarrheal medications cause the stool to turn black. However, it is still a good idea to get a fecal occult blood test done to rule out the possibility of cancer. The continuous sensation that your bowel is still not empty indicates the presence of cancerous growth or tumor which may be present at the lower end of the rectum thereby creating a feeling that something is still left to be defecated. Pencil thin stools occur because the tumor or cancer blocks the normal pathway of bowel movements. The same reasoning applies to both diarrhea and constipation. Because of constipation, there is nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain and cramps. Diarrhea causes weight loss and fatigue. Blood in the stools is a result of a cancer or tumor bleeding. As the tumor grows it tears the tissues creating fissures and therefore causes bleeding. Therefore it is very important to for regular screenings if there is medical history of cancer and if you are above the age of 50 years. Screening tests are up to 90% helpful in preventing cancer from occurring. It is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Sources used: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-cancer/DS00035/DSECTION=2 |
