Early symptoms of colon cancer can be confusing. They often mimic common illnesses or diseases, so it’s important to make sure you’re being evaluated for cancer. It’s also important to know if you’re at risk of the disease, because a diagnosis of colon cancer can cause serious harm if left untreated.
Many early symptoms of colon cancer involve problems with defecation, bloating and abdominal pain. These symptoms are commonly seen in people who have colon cancer, as the disease can affect the entire digestive system. Depending on the location of the cancer, these symptoms may be more noticeable or less so.
Abdominal pain can be dull and uncomfortable or it can be sharp and sudden. If you are experiencing constant or intermittent pain, you should see a doctor immediately. The discomfort can be caused by an ulcer or an inflammatory disease, but it could also be a sign of colon cancer.
Another symptom of colon cancer is blood in the stool. Some diseases can cause this to happen, and blood can appear on stools in the form of a red or brownish color. Other conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or anal fissures, can also cause bleeding in the digestive tract. This is a sign of a dangerous illness, and should be treated immediately.
Blood in the stool can be a sign of many different diseases, but it can also indicate the presence of colon cancer. In the early stages, the stool may simply look dark or tarry, but it could also have a blackish or brownish color.
Blood in the stool can be accompanied by other symptoms, so you’ll need to have a full examination by your physician to determine whether it’s a symptom of colon cancer. If you’re over 45 years old and have never had a stool test, you should schedule one.
Abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea can be signs of colon cancer. You’ll also likely experience frequent bowel movements, which can cause straining and fatigue. For some patients, these changes can last for a long time.
Other early symptoms of colon cancer include vomiting, weight loss, and low GI bleeding. People who have these symptoms can have anemia, which occurs when there’s not enough red blood cells in the body. Anemia can be detected through a routine blood test.
Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is the second most common cancer in women. It’s also the third most common type of cancer overall, and it’s one of the most preventable types of cancer. With timely diagnosis and treatment, you can get it under control.
Colon cancer is a serious health issue, and can be treated with a variety of methods. However, it’s very important to catch it early, because it is much easier to treat if it’s caught before it spreads to other parts of the body. There are various treatments available to help you manage the condition, including surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy.
Having a balanced diet is also an important way to lower your risk for some cancers, as it can reduce inflammation and other issues. A sedentary lifestyle and smoking are also risk factors.