First Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

As with many serious illnesses, the first symptoms of colon cancer are not different from those seen by people who suffer from non-fatal illnesses. Gas, bloating, abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms that almost everyone has had at some point in their lives. They can be caused by indigestion, menstruation, the flu, ulcers, and the list is almost endless. That is why it is important to be in tune with your body.

Be in Sync with Your Body

Most people can sense when something is beyond what is normal for them, and it is important not to ignore that feeling. If these symptoms persist for more than a few days, certainly no longer than a week, you should visit your doctor to have it checked out. With luck, it may be nothing worse than a persistent stomach bug, but if it’s not, you are far better off catching it before it gets worse, be it colon cancer or another severe gastrointestinal issue.

First Colon Cancer Signs Given By Lifestyle

If you experience any of the first symptoms of colon cancer and have a less healthy lifestyle, or a history of colon cancer in your family, then the risk of this issue being more serious is greater than it would be otherwise. Smoking, excessive drinking, eating fatty foods and a generally sedentary lifestyle have all been shown to increase the risk of cancers, including colon cancer.

Mistaken with Other Illnesses

Sometimes the first symptoms of colon cancer manifest themselves as other medical conditions that, if left untreated, can greatly increase the colon cancer risk. Some of the most common of these are polyps of the colon. If polyps are found inside the colon at the time of a colonoscopy, they should be surgically removed as soon as possible. Other illnesses that cause the same symptoms, and that can lead to colon cancer, are ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease.

General Symptoms

General symptoms include bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool. weakness of the muscles or joints, pain or discomfort in the abdomen, a change in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or a narrow stool), and a constant sensation of needing a bowel movement that does not go away once the bowel movement has occurred. If any of these symptoms occurs, then a visit to the doctor would be prudent.

Heredity in Colon Cancer Patients

Heredity can also play a role in your susceptibility to colon cancer. According to the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, estimates are that up to 5% of all colon cancer cases can be linked to hereditary factors, such as a family history of colon cancer. While that 5% may not be a large number, it would make sense to consider getting screened if you begin to experience any of the first symptoms of colon cancer to rule it out as a cause. However, the best way to fight colon cancer is to prevent it with colon cleansing.