Colon Cancer Warning Signs and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Colon (or colorectal) cancer is the third most common cancer in adults.
Although it is treatable when caught early, it can be life-threatening if left untreated.
In fact, it’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the
United States.
Colon cancer begins when cells in your large intestine start to grow abnormally.
These cells can form polyps, which can become cancerous (or malignant).
If this happens, they can spread to other parts of your body through lymphatic or blood
vessels.
Colon cancer may also begin with colorectal adenoma or flat polyp, which is not considered
malignant, but may eventually become so if it gets bigger or develops into a cancerous
tumor or adenocarcinoma.
RISK FACTORS
Most people who get colon cancer are over 50, but you can get it at any age.
If you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, you’re more likely to develop
it.
You might also be at risk if you: have inflammatory intestinal conditions, eat a low-fiber, high-fat
diet, have a sedentary lifestyle, have been diagnosed with diabetes or obesity, smoke
or regularly consume alcohol.
SYMPTOMS
Colon cancer symptoms can differ from person to person, but there are a few common warning
signs to look out for, such as: a persistent change in your bowel habits including diarrhea,
constipation, or a change in the consistency of your stool, bleeding from the rectum, or
blood in your stool, persistent abdominal discomfort such as cramps, gas, or pain, a
feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely, weakness or fatigue, loss of appetite and
weight loss with no apparent cause.
Now, there are a number of things that can cause these symptoms, and many people with
colon cancer show no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.
When symptoms do appear, they can vary depending on the cancer’s size and location in the
large intestine.
That’s why routine screening is so important!
It can detect and even prevent some colorectal cancers.
DETECTION
Your doctor will likely start with a rectal exam.
You may also have a COLONOSCOPY, which involves a flexible tube with a lighted tip inserted
into your rectum that allows the doctor to see inside your colon.
Screening often requires a FECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST as well, which helps detect hidden blood
in the stool that’s often caused by colon polyps or tumors.
Your doctor may also order additional tests, such as: a CAT scan an imaging test that uses
x-rays and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body, an ultrasound
which uses sound waves to produce pictures that show the size, location, and shape of
the tumor (if any), as well as abnormalities that may be present in surrounding tissues,
and a biopsy during which they take out a small piece of tissue and check for cancer
cells.
TREATMENT
Colon cancer treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted
therapy or immunotherapy.
The type of colon cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer cells found in the colon.
PREVENTION
The good news is that you can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer by making
some lifestyle changes.
Do the following: eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; they contain
important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants, which may play a role in cancer prevention,
drink alcohol in moderation, stop smoking, try to exercise at least 30 minutes every
day, maintain a healthy weight.
The bottom line is, that it’s better to be safe than sorry.
So, do whatever you can to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.
Make sure to get routine screening, and if you suspect you have it, don’t wait to talk
to your doctor about it.
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