Colon cancer early signs and symptoms can be difficult to spot, particularly if you are not a trained healthcare provider. Like many other forms of cancer, colon cancer often shows up with very few symptoms in the early stages, and the symptoms that you do experience could be easily linked to a variety of other diseases or conditions.
Named for its impact on the large intestine and colon, most colon cancer cases begin with the formation of noncancerous and benign clumps of cells known as adenomatous polyps. Over time, some of these polyps become increasingly dangerous, and may emerge as colon cancers.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer:
As mentioned earlier, the polyps involved with colon cancer early signs and symptoms often do not cause reactions that are significant enough to be noticed either by a patient or a doctor that is unaware of the potential for colon cancer. Because of this, many health experts recommend that patients utilize regular screening tests as a way of helping to prevent cancer by identifying dangerous polyps before they develop.
Nevertheless, although the colon cancer early signs and symptoms may be difficult to detect, some of the following aspects may indicate that you have cancer, or at least a need to visit the doctor at your earliest convenience:
– Blood in your stool, or rectal bleeding
– A change in bowel habits, including constipation or change in stool consistency
– Inability to properly empty bowels
– Persistent discomfort in the abdomen
– Unexplained weight loss
– Fatigue or feelings of weakness
If symptoms do begin to appear, you may find that the severity and type of symptom changes according to the size of the cancer and its location within your large intestine. If you notice any of the above symptoms, however, it is crucial to make an appointment with your doctor, even if you do not personally regard the signs to be severe.
Get Involved with Screenings for Colon Cancer:
Because the signs and symptoms of colon cancer are so difficult to recognize, it's a good idea to speak with your doctor about when you should begin getting regular screenings for colon cancer. Typically, most people will begin their screenings at the age of fifty, but you may find that your doctor will recommend a different schedule depending on various risk factors, including a history of the disease within your family.
Also, it's worth keeping in mind that a number of factors, including a personal history of polyps or colorectal cancer, older age, inflammatory conditions in the intestine, and inherited syndromes may all increase your risk of suffering from colon cancer. If there is a particular aspect within your medical background that means you may be more susceptible to colon cancer than the average person, it's important to speak with your doctor about your options. Chances are that he or she will recommend getting screened for cancerous cells more often, and he or she may give you a deeper education into the signs and symptoms you should be watching for as you progress into later life, or old age.