Colon Cancer Warning Signs

Being familiar with common colon cancer warning signs is important since this helps to detect the disease at an early stage. This is perhaps the only stage when colon cancer can be treated with minimal discomfort. It is commonly acknowledged by medical authorities across the world that colon cancer complications, including fatalities, are largely due to the delay in reporting colon cancer symptoms. Some of the most common colon cancer symptoms have been listed below. Perhaps only one or two symptoms may surface in one patient while in someone else several easily identifiable symptoms might exist.

Rectal Bleeding

This is among the most common of colon cancer warning signs, noted among first stage colon cancer patients and is often overlooked since many people suffer from constipation and hemorrhoids. Thus, they are bound to look at patches of blood in their stools a result of their existing medical conditions. On the other hand, a condition like hemorrhoids induces many other symptoms such a burning sensation when passing stools. Rectal bleeding is also caused by forceful sexual activities and severe deficiency of iron. Since there is a lot of uncertainty over the exact cause of rectal bleeding, the wisest decision is to undergo a colon cancer screening test.

Colon-related Problems

Often, the tumor growing in the colon attains a sizeable proportion. When this happens, the tumor presses against the intestinal walls and obstructs the flow of digested food through the colon. During this phase, some typical, colon related problems surface such as:

• Due to intestinal blockage, there is greater retention of water within the intestines. The blockage can also induce a state of being perpetually flatulent along with some retention of water. In such situations, the belly develops a distinct, obtuse appearance, referred to as abdominal distension.

• Due to the blockage of food in the colon, there is a sudden increase in the degree of constipation. The blockage prevents the proper mixing of digested food with water, disrupting the normal stool-forming process. Such people are bound to feel heavily constipated and might complain of food being thrown back along their food-pipe, called involuntary regurgitation or reflux.

Noticeable Colon Cancer Warning Signs: Overall Deterioration in Health

When the intestines are blocked by a bigger tumor, a false feeling of fullness is established in the patient. This is because the tumor is compressed against the inner lining of the intestinal walls which in turn causes the unwanted stimulation of nerve signals linked to satiety. Further, an obstructed colon is unable to uptake nutrients in the normal manner. Since the colon forms the basis of absorbing critical nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, a severe nutritional deficiency is created. Due to these reasons, the affected person develops pale skin, and starts to lose weight on a continued basis. Many people might complain of a sustained fever-like feeling. This feeling surfaces because the body’s basic dietary processes are impaired by the presence of cancerous tissue, and the body’s metabolic functions become unbalanced.

If the symptoms of colon cancer are closely observed, a remarkable pattern emerges. Many of the symptoms are similar to that of someone suffering from a severely constipated colon. Every symptom discussed above, from rectal bleeding to digestive problems induced by a cancerous colon are quite similar to symptoms induced by a constipated colon. This is why healthcare professionals are increasingly promoting the idea of a clean colon being the primary step towards ensuring cancer free colon.