Detecting The Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

In the early stages of this illness, the symptoms of colon cancer may not be too obvious to a patient at all. Some symptoms of colon cancer are so similar to other kinds of sickness, that it may easily be disregarded.

These are what doctors term as colorectal symptoms and may include the discomforts you normally feel when you have digestive problems such as:

  • an inflammatory bowel problem
  • loose bowel movement
  • irritable bowel syndrome or diverticulosis.

And because they can be considered as non-threatening symptoms and far from colon caner, people normally just treat these with ordinary medicines, not realizing that something else might be wrong. It is because of this that those considered included in the high risk sector, such as people above 50 years old, are always advised to go on colon cancer screenings periodically.

Constipation or diarrhea that has lasted for more than five days must already be a good enough reason for a person to check into a clinic for consultation and tests. Abdominal pains that have become unbearable or bowel movement that is accompanied by blood can also be early signs of colon cancer, so it is better to have yourself tested immediately.

The thing to note about cancer is that its spread is uncontrollable. The tissue mass almost immediately grows or multiplies itself in great proportions. But its growth could either be benign or malign. The difference and the degree to which a cancer cell develops from benign to malign could take just a matter of weeks. The longer you delay the visit to the doctor’s office, the more you reduce the chances for the cancer cells to be cured or detected. For your own peace of mind, getting a colon cancer screening early is both preventive and beneficial.

Detecting the symptoms of colon cancer may be further confirmed with different tests like:

  • A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) which can determine polyps or cancer bleeding.
  • A sigmoidoscopy which involves the use of a small instrument that is inserted in the lower colon for examination.
  • A colonoscopy which also involves insertion of an instrument, albeit more thoroughly and with better chances of covering a lot of.

The examinations done should yield results that could determine whether or not the polyps found inside your colon are harmful or not. There are different kinds of polyps:

  • Adenomas – which is a cancer cell but it is one that may be easily removed during a colonoscopy procedure
  • Inflammatory – this usually results from an ulcerative colitis and may also be cancerous
  • Hyperplasic – which is the least threatening kind and rarely becomes cancerous

If these polyps remain undetected or are not immediately removed, it can affect the lymph nodes which in turn affect the blood stream and will eventually affect the rest of a person’s organs.

Several factors contribute to the risk of colon cancer, such as a history in the family, smoking and diet; and if you consider yourself as falling into the type, a change of lifestyle and a visit to the doctors must already be in order. Moreso if you already notice the different symptoms of colon cancer.

Colon Cancer