Colon Cancer Symptoms
Colon cancer diagnosis
By Jarrett Kruse
It is important to get regular yearly screenings for colon cancer to keep you vigilant to the presence of a tumor. This is because colon cancer symptoms can grow for years before showing any signs. Therefore, knowing what to look out for cannot hurt when talking about cancer of the colon. Constipation, having a bowel movement less than three times a week, can be your body’s way of suggesting that you make some minor adjustments in diet or exercise. However, constipation can also be a symptom of a colon cancer. In the beginning of the colon, waste material is slushy and can easily maneuver around anything that gets in its way.
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Sometimes a tumor causes a bowel obstruction, which is basically a road block in your colon. Depending on the severity of the blockage, solids, liquids, and even gas may be prevented from passing by. This leads to stomach cramps that can be severe, especially if the blockage restricts blood flow to the colon. Digestive pains may also indicate that a tumor has a perforated colon in the bowel wall. Tumors tend to bleed — not a whole lot and not constantly, but they do bleed. As a result, some of that blood may show up in your stool. If the tumor is in the beginning of the colon, the blood will most likely be dry and virtually invisible by the time the waste leaves your body. However, if the tumor is in the rectum or toward the end of the colon, it may still be fresh and therefore, bright red.
A number of illnesses like diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can also damage the colon. All of these illnesses can be prevented by performing a regular colon cleansing and by following a high-fiber diet. The symptoms for each of these conditions can be lessened with scheduled routine cleansings. If left unchecked, each of these problems can lead to a number of related complications. Most of us would be happy to lose a few pounds but effortless weight loss is generally a sign that something is wrong. In the case of colon cancer, unexplained weight loss can be a sign that a tumor is releasing chemicals that are increasing your metabolism.
