Diseases Cancer

What Are the Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

Published at 02/23/2012 19:45:10

Introduction

The symptoms of colon cancer can cause the average person to feel depressed and stressed. Colon cancer affects the large intestine and sometimes the rectum. It is often referred to as a colorectal cancer due to the areas in which it impacts. Colon cancer usually exhibits itself as small clumps or polyps that are visible during a colonoscopy.

If caught in time, this cancer is usually treatable and the survival rate is high. Certain risk factors can increase a person's chance of developing colon cancer. Risk factors include older age, other inflammatory intestinal conditions and a sedentary lifestyle. People who are obese and those with a low-fiber, high-fat diet are also at a greater risk of developing colon cancer. A physician can help to determine if you are at risk of having colon cancer.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of colon cancer may not be present until the latter stages of the disease. Common symptoms of colon cancer include a change in bowel movements and fatigue. A change in bowel movements can result in either frequent constipation or diarrhea. Most colon cancer sufferers may also note a change in the consistency of their stools. Other symptoms that may appear as the disease progresses include abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and a feeling that the bowel has not completely emptied. Rectal bleeding may also occur. Whether or not symptoms are present depend on the size of the cancer and its location within the colon. The symptoms can vary widely from person to person.

When To Seek Help

You should seek medical help if you notice any symptoms of colon cancer. Your doctor will most likely recommend that you should be screened for colon cancer. Colon cancer screenings usually begin at the age of 50. If you have a family history of colon cancer, your doctor may recommend that you begin screenings at an earlier age. African-Americans and American Indians are recommended to start screenings for colon cancer at the age of 45. If you have already been diagnosed with colon cancer and the symptoms you are experiencing worsen, consult with your physician. Your physician may be able to prescribe medication or other therapies to reduce the impact of the colon cancer symptoms.

Conclusion

Treatment options for colon cancer vary based on a variety of factors including your overall health. If you have other underlying conditions, your physician will need to consider them when determining the best treatment for the colon cancer. Your physician can prescribe medications to lessen the symptoms of colon cancer that you are experiencing. Some sufferers of colon cancer have opted to employ alternative treatments to help with the symptoms of the disease. Alternative treatments have included exercise, relaxation exercises and dance therapy. Your physician can help you find an alternative treatment to help with your symptoms that is safe and that will not interfere with the traditional treatment you are receiving. If possible, avoid activities that may exacerbate your color cancer symptoms or that may hinder your recovery. Lifestyle choices such as drinking and smoking can have a significant impact on your body.

Comments

Most Recent Articles

  • What Are the Symptoms Of Colon Cancer
    No symptoms can be found in cases of cancer colon at its preliminary stages. Its symptoms don’t appear until the malady has developed into advanced stages. So, it is essential to keep ...
  • What Are Early Signs Of Colon Cancer
    Early detection and diagnosis of colon cancer is crucial and can definitely improve chances of survival. If detected early enough it is often treated with success. If any of the symptoms of ...
  • About Stage 4 Cancer
    Cancer staging typically explains the severity of a person's cancer. By knowing the stage of the cancer the phyisican will be able to determine how far it has spread, be able to plan treatme...
  • Types Of Radiation Treatment For Cancer
    Radiation cancer therapy is a type of cancer treatment that involves the use of high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation...
  • Where Can I Get Free Cancer Care in New York City?
    The word cancer is often associated to death. People cringe upon hearing this word. Almost everyone is not new to this most feared disease that has already taken a lot of people’s live...
  • How To Treat Cancer Of the Skin
    The National Cancer Institute says that cancer of skin usually occurs on those parts of your body that are continuously exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are numerous types ...
  • What Is Bowel Cancer
    Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. Early screening for the disease with a colonoscopy can help find the disease early. Screening for bowel cancer is usually recommended ...
  • About Cancer Of Breast Tissue
    The human body is made up of living cells that grow, divide, and die everyday. During childhood, cells normally divide faster allowing the person to grow. But after reaching adulthood, the c...
  • What Is the Common Treatment For Prostate Cancer
    Prostate cancer happens when there is an abnormal and unmanageable growth of cells in your prostate. Whether it is considered malignant or benign, prostate cancer treatment needs serious att...
  • How To Care For Cancer Patients At Home
    When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer it can be confusing and devastating for everyone involved. Treatment for the cancer patient will vary depending on type and stage of cancer the pati...
  • Symptoms Suggesting Cancer
    Cancer is a very fatal disease wherein symptoms are not easily diagnosed. A person with cancer slowly kills the positive cells and tissues that in the long run might kill your body. Person w...
  • the Least Invasive Treatment Breast Cancer
    According to the American Cancer Society, one in every eight women develops breast cancer. There are 200,000 cases of breast cancer reported each year in the United States and nearly 40,000 ...
  • Symptom Of Brain Cancer
    A symptom of brain cancer are usually found late in the progression of the disease. In most instances, the symptoms do not appear until the latter stages. Due to the wide range of symptoms a...
  • About Choices Of Therapy For Cancer
    Cancer continues to devastate many people all around the globe. So far, there is no definite cure. However, those who suffer can consider therapy for cancer. It is not all bad because the tr...
  • Severity Of Breast Cancer
    Although it can also affect men, breast cancer occurs predominately and is the most common type of cancer among women. It is a malignant tumor (a group of cancer cells) that originates from ...