Colon / Colorectal Cancer Overview
Colon / Colorectal Cancer at a Glance
Colon cancer is a kind of colorectal cancer, and which means there's a cancerous growth in the colon. It frequently starts as a growth referred to as polyp inside the rectum or colon. Locating and eliminating polyps may help prevent colorectal cancer.
Colon / Colorectal Cause
The precise cause of colon cancer is unknown. However, there exist a set of risk factors that are strongly connected to the disease, ranging from tobacco smoking, diet to excessive alcohol use. In addition, people with a family history of colon cancer or particular hereditary cancer syndromes have a high danger of developing the disease.
Colon / Colorectal Symptoms
Here's a list of symptoms to look out for:
- Changes in bowel habits. Persistent constipation and diarrhea are common signs.
- Feeling you must go, despite bowel movements.
- Blood in the stool; this is a major symptom which drives several patients to get medical support.
- Changes in stool appearance such as the consistency is thinner and narrower than usual.
- Sudden weight loss. You're losing much weight despite having made no great change to your daily diet or exercise regimen.
- Chronic exhaustion. Many patients report that they feel very tired most of the time.
- Inexplicable iron deficiency. At times, patients learn that something is wrong after blood work comes back.
- Plenty of bloating, cramps, gas pains, or other stomach-related discomfort.
Know that several of these symptoms can result because of a completely different health issue. Consult with your doctor about any lingering symptoms. To confirm colon cancer, your physician might suggest a colonoscopy.
