Responsible for close to 50,000 deaths each year, colorectal cancer impacts both men and women. One of the reasons this type of cancer kills so many people is due to the fact that symptoms often do not manifest until the disease is in an advanced stage.
However, another reason is that the symptoms of colon cancer are often found in a variety of gastrointestinal disorders, such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome as well as even other cancers, making a diagnosis that much more difficult.
The symptoms of colon cancer largely depend on how advanced the cancer is, the location of cancer within the colon, and the effects on the surrounding tissues and organs. Additionally, an individual may often only have one or two symptoms, making it difficult to determine the cause.
Based on the fact that colon cancer can progress to an advanced stage before any symptoms or problems occur, screenings are strongly recommended for both men and women at the age of 50. Furthermore, it is important to note that regular screenings could prevent as much as 60 percent of deaths due to colon cancer.
Unfortunately, the cause of most colon cancers is not yet clear. There are, however, a variety of risk factors, such as poor diet and smoking, that might increase your chances of developing colon cancer.
Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms that co-occur across a variety of ailments. However, when it comes to colon cancer, nausea and vomiting are typically the results of a tumor that has formed inside of the colon or rectum and has resulted in an obstruction within the bowel. The obstruction can range in severity based on the size of the tumor with smaller tumors blocking liquids and larger tumors blocking solids as well as liquids. A blockage in the colon, no matter the size, can cause pain and constipation, both of which can lead to nausea and vomiting.
A change in the color of your stool can be the result of something as benign as the food that you are eating or something as serious as colon cancer. As such, the presence of bright red patches in your stool should not be ignored as blood in your stool can be a symptom of colon cancer. Additionally, the dark stool can be an important sign as it signifies dried blood is present within the stools. Dried blood might be more difficult to detect, but it is often very obvious as the volume of dried blood can be quite large. Additionally, if you are experiencing severe pain along with either very dark or bright blood in your bowel movement, it is important that you consult your doctor as soon as you can.
Typically, your doctor will conduct an examination and might also recommend an occult test to determine if there is blood in your stool. This test will detect minute traces of blood. Additionally, your doctor might recommend that you undergo a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube is inserted into the rectum, which allows the doctor to exam the colon for any abnormalities. Such abnormalities might include tumors or polyps that might be causing the bleeding and abdominal pain.
It is important to note that many people will disregard red blood on their toilet paper as well as reddish or pink discoloration in the toilet bowl as it is common to attribute this occurrence to hemorrhoids, an uncomfortable issue that is not deadly. However, rectal bleeding is a common symptom of colon cancer. Ignoring these early warning signs could prevent early detection, which will likely severely impact your prognosis.
Many of us are tired due to personal as well as work obligations. However, there is a big difference between feeling tired after a long day and feeling exhaustion that simply will not abate no matter how much sleep and exercise you get or how healthy your diet is. If you are always tired you, you are most likely experiencing fatigue, which is a state in which you constantly feel exhausted and weak for no obvious reason.
Fatigue is a common symptom across a variety of underlying conditions, including anemia, diabetes, and heart disease. As such, it is easy to associate it with many things other than cancer. However, it is also a symptom of colon cancer as individuals suffering from fatigue often experience internal blood loss, which depletes you of energy in a way that cannot be alleviated without a proper diagnosis and surgery.
Experiencing a change in your bowels is very common. For instance, you might have eaten something that made you sick. In this instance, you will likely experience diarrhea. Other reasons might be because you have the flu, or you might not be getting enough fiber in your diet, resulting in constipation. Fortunately, these types of changes are not permanent and typically do not lead to serious illness. However, a change in your bowels that does not abate can be a sign of a serious, underlying condition.
One of the main effects of colon cancer is the reduction in the ability of the colon to absorb nutrients and water as well as to remove waste from the body. As such, major changes in your stool can be an early warning sign that something is wrong. For instance, constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than a few weeks can be a warning sign. Even loose stool that does not quite meet the definition or experience of diarrhea can be a clear sign of colon cancer if it continues for longer than a few weeks. If you are experiencing these changes in your bowels and the changes have lasted more than a few weeks, it is important to talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
Another change in your bowels that might indicate the presence of colon cancer is producing stools that are as thin as a pencil. Narrow stools can be the result of a polyp within the colon. A colon polyp is a clump of cells that develop on the lining of the colon. Over time, a polyp can become cancerous. As the polyp slowly grows, it can begin to affect the ability of your bowels to work correctly, which results in the narrow stool.
Abdominal pain and bloating can be the result of a variety of issues, including diet-related gastrointestinal distress. Fortunately, the cause is not often a result of something serious, leading to the resolution of pain and bloating over time. However, there are times when these symptoms are a sign of a more serious health issue. If you are unable to determine the reason for the pain or bloating, it is important that you consult your doctor as these two symptoms might indicate the presence of colon cancer.
Additionally, if you experience unexplained stomach distention or cramps in your abdomen, you should consult your doctor as these can be symptoms of colon cancer as well. Most times, your doctor will be able to provide you with a simple solution to address your discomfort, but in the unlikely chance that you are diagnosed with colon cancer, it is better to begin receiving treatment sooner rather than later.
Anemia is another symptom of colon cancer that can sometimes be overlooked. A blood disorder, anemia refers to a deficiency in hemoglobin or red blood cells within the blood. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the tissues throughout the body. A person suffering from anemia typically experiences fatigue, dizziness, and an increased heart rate. The sufferer might also appear to be paler than usual, and women can experience an irregular pattern of menstruation. Most commonly, anemia is caused by a lack of iron and can be easily treated with iron supplements and diet changes.
However, when it comes to colon cancer, anemia is much more serious as it is caused by chronic blood loss within the stool. In this instance, the body’s iron is slowly depleted via the red blood cells within the stools. Ultimately, the production of fresh blood cells declines, resulting in anemia.
Additionally, as the blood loss can be microscopic, the cause of the anemia can often take longer to diagnose, resulting in lost treatment time. Finally, iron deficiency is common in women who menstruate, which can result in a missed opportunity to diagnose colon cancer.
Often, someone with colorectal cancer might have an unexplained urge to have a bowel movement even after going to the bathroom. This is likely due to the mass of cancer or the pressure cancer creates. However, it can also be due to the colon being partially blocked. This illusory urge can be persistent and strong, and it can accompany cramping or a feeling of abdominal fullness.
Cancer cells cause the body to produce cytokines. As they are produced, your body will shed weight even without a corresponding decrease in caloric consumption or an increase in exercise. This process can prove deadly if unexplained weight loss is ignored or attributed to something other than cancer. Because the loss of a few pounds can be explained away, it is important to note that any loss of weight exceeding five percent of your overall body mass should prompt you to see your doctor. For overweight or obese individuals, losing five percent of the overall body mass can take a while to accomplish. As such, if you notice consistent weight loss over the course of six months, you need to report this loss to your physician.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.