The first step in colon cancer prevention is to recognize the symptoms. These early warning signs of the disease include bowel changes and weight loss. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to consult your family doctor. Your family doctor can recommend tests for colon cancer. These tests can help you detect colon cancer in its early stages.
Weight loss
One of the most common early symptoms of colon cancer is weight loss. If you’ve noticed weight loss, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. While there are many reasons why someone might lose weight, the most common symptom is loss of appetite. In addition to losing appetite, a person with colon cancer may experience intermittent constipation or diarrhea. This is caused by an obstruction in the bowel and may occur at intervals. Also, a person may experience gas and bloating, which are common symptoms of digestive disorders.
Fatigue is another symptom of colon cancer. If the polyps in the colon bleed into the intestine, it can cause a person to lose iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia. This condition can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.
Vomiting
If you are experiencing frequent or uncontrollable vomiting, it could be an early sign of colon cancer. However, vomiting may also be caused by a bowel obstruction. It is usually accompanied by pain in the abdomen and abdominal cramping. Besides vomiting, a person may experience bloating, gas, and constipation.
A person may also experience nausea and indigestion as an early symptom of colon cancer. The indigestion caused by colon cancer can feel like cramping, bloating, or a sharp pain in the abdomen. Some people mistake this feeling for ulcers. Chronic heartburn is another common symptom of colon cancer. If you are experiencing frequent or intense bouts of vomiting, it’s best to visit a doctor to rule out other medical conditions.
Anemia
Anemia is one of the most common symptoms of colon cancer. Typically, the symptoms are associated with lower than normal red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels. Anemia can also be caused by many other diseases, including other types of cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy. The good news is that it is relatively easy to recognize the signs of anemia, which can help physicians detect colon cancer early.
While anemia can be caused by many factors, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice blood in your stool on more than one occasion. While colon cancer does not typically cause blood loss in the bowel, excessive blood loss from the colon may lead to anemia. Anemia is characterized by low levels of red blood cells and can be detected by a routine blood test.
Changes in bowel habits
Changes in bowel habits are one of the first symptoms of colon cancer. Those who are experiencing frequent bowel movements should visit their physician to get a diagnosis. Usually, changes in bowel habits are temporary, but if they happen regularly, you should seek medical advice.
Changes in bowel habits can be caused by many things. Sometimes, they are caused by less serious problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome. However, it’s always important to visit your physician for further tests to rule out colon cancer. Blood in the stool is one of the first signs of colon cancer, and can appear as a bright red color or in a darker color. However, if the bleeding is mild or intermittent, you don’t need to worry.
Changes in stool shape
If you notice a change in the shape or consistency of your stool, you should see a doctor. While bowel changes can be caused by less serious conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome, it is important to rule out colon cancer. Changes in bowel habits are one of the most common early symptoms of colon cancer.
Often, these changes are due to the growth of tumors on the lining of the colon. In these cases, the stool will become narrow and ribbon-like. The color may also change. There may also be blood in the stool. It is important to see a doctor if these changes persist or become too pronounced.