Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is a condition arising from the development of cancer cells in the colon and the rectum. Throughout the years, colon cancer has been considered as one of the top five causes of deaths in the United States. There are several causes of cancer such a build up of waste in the colon, heredity, and the development of cancerous polyps in the colon. Since there’s no telling how fast cancer cells can develop or spread within a person, it’s best to constantly be on the lookout for symptoms, especially if heredity is a factor.

Symptoms

Colon cancer in its earliest stage doesn’t have evident symptoms. Doctors advise that regular health screening be done starting at the age of 50. For other cases, there are two general types of colon cancer symptoms:

• Local
• Systemic
Knowing the early signs of colon cancer can significantly reduce the risk of it being fatal. To make sure colon cancer is still within a treatable stage, be sure to be on lookout for several colon cancer symptoms.

Local Symptoms

Local colon cancer symptoms are limited to observable signs that can be seen or felt. These may include varied bowel movements and/or localized pain. Bowel movements become more or less frequent than the normal or stools change in consistency. It is possible to experience constipation and diarrhea, singularly or in alternate bouts. If there is development of colon cancer, it’s likely that constipation and diarrhea will occur alternately. The stool will also have a dark shade of red or black which is indicative of blood in the stool. Abdominal discomforts such as cramps, bloating and gas pains may also be frequent. If the same symptoms have been apparent for two or more weeks, it’s time to consult a doctor. In the presence of these symptoms, preliminary colorectal screenings are in order.

Systemic Symptoms

Systemic colon cancer symptoms affect a whole range of things such as unexplained weight loss or gain. Some other symptoms might include loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea and extreme fatigue. Nausea and vomiting might also become frequent, together with the development of anemia. Anemia refers to a condition where the blood has low iron content and a low red blood cell count. If any of these symptoms have been present for any length of time, it’s wise to undergo medical screening and diagnosis. Unfortunately, by the time symptoms of colon cancer have become systemic, the malignancy is probably in the latter stages.

As the old adage goes, prevention is always better than cure. To make sure that these symptoms don’t occur, and that colon cancer won’t develop, it’s best to undergo colon cleansing regularly. By keeping the colon cleansed of waste that can build up and breed all manner of pathogenic toxins, it is possible to inhibit the growth of precancerous lesions and polyps. There are a number of great cleansing products that can help reduce the risk of cancer.