| Cancer is one of the leading causes of death | | | | 3. Bloody Stool- you might observe bleeding in |
| worldwide. In the United States, around 1000 | | | | your bowel. Sometimes the blood will be present |
| patients die each day from complications of | | | | in a very small amount and not be noticed. But |
| cancer. Approximately 2.4 million Americans are | | | | there are also cases, where the stool is really |
| expected to be diagnosed with the dreaded | | | | bloody. A fecal occult blood test can confirm |
| disease in 2007. The exact cause of cancer is | | | | presence of blood in your stool. |
| unknown. It is only characterized by the abnormal | | | | 4. Unexplained weight loss- one of the classic sign |
| cell division and growth. Genetics, exposure to | | | | of cancer is weight loss. If you are losing weight |
| chemicals and lifestyle are just some of the risk | | | | even if you are not trying, you should ask your |
| factors in cancer. | | | | doctor. |
| Colon cancer is a particular cancer in which the | | | | 5. Fatigue- another colon cancer symptom to look |
| primary affected area is the colon. Many studies | | | | out for is unexplained tiredness. Some experts link |
| showed that people with colon cancer are those | | | | this symptom to anemia or iron deficiency. To be |
| who have been smoking, drinking excessively, | | | | sure, you should have your blood checked. |
| suffers from inflammatory bowel disease and are | | | | 6. Nausea and vomiting- because of the tumor in |
| obese. Regular colon cancer screenings should be | | | | your colon area, you might feel nauseous and |
| accomplished if you are considered to be at risk. | | | | even vomit for no apparent reason. |
| This kinds of screenings can help you fight against | | | | 7. Gassy- obstruction of the colon by a tumor |
| any kind of colon cancer that might decide to rear | | | | causes air to be trapped. |
| its ugly head. It's important to take care of the | | | | Diagnosing colon cancer can be done in a number |
| matter before it becomes too much of a | | | | of ways. Your doctor could perform a digital |
| problem. | | | | rectal exam to check for abnormal areas in your |
| If you are exhibiting the following colon cancer | | | | rectum. Another way is to take endoscopic |
| symptoms, you should be evaluated for colorectal | | | | images of your colon. This is done by inserting a |
| cancer at once. | | | | lighted device in you rectum and images are |
| 1. Irregular bowel movements: you could have less | | | | transmitted to a monitor. This is a very accurate |
| or more bowel movements if you have colon | | | | test and could also differentiate between a polyp |
| cancer. You can even experience constipation | | | | and a tumor growth. |
| more often. This is because the tumor in your | | | | If detected early, colon cancer can be treated by |
| colon is already obstructing the regular flow of | | | | surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The key |
| your bowel. | | | | is early diagnosis. Chances for survival are higher |
| 2. Stomach Cramps- due to bowel obstruction, | | | | for people who are diagnosed at the early stages |
| you will feel stomach cramps and sometimes | | | | of colon cancer. This is the reason why you |
| even bloating. As the tumor grows bigger, it could | | | | should be evaluated or screened by a cancer |
| actually be perforating the bowel wall causing pain | | | | expert especially if you are exhibiting classic colon |
| and discomfort. | | | | cancer symptoms. |