
Bleeding is one of the most prominent early signs of colon cancer. Presented in this article is detailed information on causes, symptoms, and treatment methods for colon cancer.
Due to unknown reasons, sometimes cancerous cells are formed in certain parts of the body. These cancerous cells result in malignant tumors, multiply, and spread to the neighboring parts and finally all over the body. This disease is known as cancer. There are several types of cancers like cancer of bones, cancer of blood cells, cancer of lymphocytes, cancer of the colon or the large intestine, etc. Certain types of cancer can be treated, up to some extent, in the primary stage. If it reaches advanced stage, it is difficult to treat it. Therefore, it is essential to understand the early warning signs of cancer.
Causes
A person suffers from colon cancer when cancerous cells start growing uncontrollably in the rectum, appendix or the colon. The colon and the rectal cancer are sometimes together referred as colorectal cancer. It is considered as one of the most common cancer types and also one of the most prominent one causing death in people all over the world. Among the risk factors causing this disease, it is found that heredity and genetics are the most prominent ones. Secondly, smoking and having a low fiber diet are also believed to contribute in causing it. Sometimes, people suffering from Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are also at a high risk of developing colon cancer.
Symptoms
Development of polyps is considered as the earliest sign of colon cancer. But, sometimes the polyps are very small, and hence, are not easily noticed. One should also remember that unexplained weight loss is a classic symptom of cancer and is observed in all types of cancer. Rectal bleeding is a prominent sign. It is very necessary to diagnose the proper cause of rectal bleeding as sometimes it is confused with hemorrhoids.
- Changes in bowel movements
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Blood in stools
- Bloating
- Flatulence
- Abdominal pain
- Cramps
- Anemia
- Jaundice
- Bowel obstruction
- Fatigue
Apart from these, several other signs and symptoms are experienced, that may even be difficult to describe. The person may frequently feel the need to empty the bowel or feel as if his bowel has not been emptied completely. Pain and discomfort is also experienced in the places where the tumor is located. Sometimes, it is also found that people do not experience any symptom at an early stage at all.
Treatment
If a person observes any of the above symptoms, it is essential to consult the doctor as early as possible. As some of the early signs are not easily noticed, it is recommended to undertake regular screening. The doctor will ask the person to undertake blood tests, X-ray, CT scan, and colonoscopy which will help in diagnosing this disease.
The treatment varies according to stages or severity of the disease. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the classic cancer treatment methods used in treating colon cancer. In primary stages, surgery will be effective in removing the polyps, or cancerous cells or even the part of the colon that is affected. Chemotherapy and radiation therapies are used if the cancer has spread in the other neighboring parts of the colon. In some cases, targeted drug therapy can also prove useful.
As mentioned above, identifying the signs at the early stage can help in treating it to a great extent. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the doctor if any discomfort is observed.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.