Colon cancer is a disease of the large intestine and is among the most widespread types of cancer in the world. One thing that stands out when it comes to this disease is that it has to be diagnosed and treated early to prevent it. In this blog, you will be able to learn the symptoms of colon cancer, diagnostic approaches, and preventive measures.
Some of the signs that people diagnosed with this type of cancer will experience include;
The knowledge of the diagnostic signs of colon cancer should be well understood to avoid a delay in treatment. Some of the common colon cancer symptoms include:
- Changes in Bowel Habits: Diarrhea for more than 2 to 3 weeks or constipation or altered bowel habits Launched and bloating.
- Blood in Stool: This may be bright red blood or more often dark red or even black stool. Pictorial information depicting blood in stool from colon cancer may be frightening and call for an immediate physician.
- Unexplained Weight Loss: Weight loss without doing anything is sometimes a sign of something serious like colon cancer.
- Fatigue and Weakness: Dizziness or weakness despite having a proper amount of rest might be triggered by anemia, caused by colon bleeding.
- Abdominal Pain or Discomfort: In ladies, they have cramps, bloating, or persistent pain in their abdominal area, for example, menstrual cycle pains.
Such colon cancer symptoms can be similar to other subclinical or less severe diseases and, therefore, should not be dismissed.”
Colon Cancer in Women: Unique Considerations
It is known that male and female colon cancer symptoms are quite similar and there are cases when the disease may be confused with gynecological problems. Stop aches and pains like those in the abdominal tracts, or changes in bowel movement frequency may be perceived by women as due to hormonal changes or even as menstrual changes. Hence, knowing the symptoms of colon cancer in women and visiting a doctor when sick is important.
Recognizing the Early Signs of Colon Cancer: A Guide to Awareness
The colon cancer disease is a cancer form that develops mainly in the colon and is an asymptotic largely disease. Knowledge of the first signs may be indeed crucial for proper diagnosis and ensuing treatment. Realizing these are signs, not simple indigestion problems, is crucial for protecting your health against serious issues.
In the case of colon cancer, one of the first signs is the alteration of bowel habits that do not go away. This might consist of frequent passing of loose or ribbon-like stools, diarrhoeal-like formation or constipation, or the feeling of not having fully emptied the bowel. Often these symptoms are associated with temporary conditions including stress, changes in diet, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, however, the frequency and the length of a person’s colon cancer symptoms should be observed. If they last for more than a few weeks, they require medical attention.
Another sign of the presence of the disease may be sudden weight loss that has no apparent reason. If the person has been able to shed a few pounds even without considering his diet and lifestyle through rigorous exercise, then there could be a problem that is more dangerous than just being obese and that is colon cancer. This is because due to the existence of cancer, some of the nutrients may be used up by the disease or blocked from being utilized by the body.
The colon cancer disease is a cancer form that develops mainly in the colon and is an asymptotic largely disease. Knowledge of the first signs may be indeed crucial for proper diagnosis and ensuing treatment. Realizing these are signs, not simple indigestion problems, is crucial for protecting your health against serious issues.
In the case of colon cancer, one of the first signs is the alteration of bowel habits that do not go away. This might consist of frequent passing of loose or ribbon-like stools, diarrhoeal-like formation or constipation, or the feeling of not having fully emptied the bowel. Often these colon cancer symptoms are associated with temporary conditions including stress, changes in diet, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, however, the frequency and the length of a person’s symptoms should be observed. If they last for more than a few weeks, they require medical attention.
Another sign of the presence of the disease may be sudden weight loss that has no apparent reason. If the person has been able to shed a few pounds even without considering his diet and lifestyle through rigorous exercise, then there could be a problem that is more dangerous than just being obese and that is colon cancer. This is because due to the existence of cancer, some of the nutrients may be used up by the disease or blocked from being utilized by the body.
Colon Cancer Diagnostic and Staging
Screening Tests
It thus becomes very important to get an early screening done if you are above 50 years of age or you are a first-degree relation of a diabetic. Screening methods include:
- Colonoscopy: The examination of the large colon with the help of a flexible device in the form of a camera.
- Stool Tests: Papers that used fecal occult blood tests and stool DNA screening.
Staging the Cancer
Staging follows the diagnosis of the cancer to know how far the cancer has spread. Even in the first stage of colon cancer, there are no obvious signs and symptoms because the cancer cells are confined to the colon. There are three stages in the development of the disease and the last stages include the spreading of the disease to the neighboring tissues or organs.
Colon Cancer Ribbon Colour and Awareness
The colon cancer ribbon color is dark blue stands for people with colon cancer and encourages people to come up with ways of preventing and combating the disease. The bright ribbon symbolizes the invitation to pay for the necessary examinations more attention and demand more research.
Prevention and Survival Rates
Colon cancer is still a threat to man’s life but its threat becomes minimal if one takes some steps to manage it. Even though it cannot be influenced by specific factors, some precautions, when followed as the necessary lifestyle modifications, are essential in colon health and general health.
1. Healthy Diet
A balanced diet is a key component in stopping colon cancer before it starts to develop. Fruits and vegetables of different colors offer different vitamins and minerals, which help maintain a healthy colon while grains offer dietary fiber. Dietary fiber also enhances bowel movements and minimizes the duration that toxins stay in the colon, which belongs to the key features of this diet. Similarly, the consumption of red and processed meats is a culprit for colon cancer because they are rich in meats and should also be avoided. Rather, possible practical advice involves consuming plant proteins, skinless poultry, and fish meat. Avoiding foods with saturated fats and excessive sugars extends the likelihood of good health and eradicating cancers too.
2. Regular Exercise
Another factor that people should embrace in preventing cancer is regular exercise. Fitness activities enable the prevention of obesity and overweight because obesity has been recognized to be among the causes of colon cancer. Exercise also enhances the good functioning of the digestive system in addition to maintaining the fluidity of hormonal systems that would otherwise lead to the formation of cancer. Moderate exercise means as little as half an hour of walking, jogging, swimming, cycling and the like most days of the week can go a long way into reducing one’s odds against cancer. Also, various strength training exercises that can be performed three times a week add to the overall fitness.
3. Don’t Smoke and Moderate Alcohol Intake
Tobacco and alcohol consumption are some of the main causes of colon, and other types of cancer. Tobacco use instills into the body carcinogens that may mutate cells and hence cause cancer. Likewise, alcoholism is toxic to the lining of the colon resulting in inflammation which may lead to the formation of growths that are considered malignant. Giving up cigarettes, and controlling alcohol consumption may lower one’s cancer risk and enhance the quality of life. In doing so, as behaviors change, seeking help through counseling or support groups is helpful for people with these habits.
4. Regular Screenings
Screening and early diagnosis in particular ranks among the most powerful non-pharmacological and primary methods of combating this morbific agent. A colonoscopy is an example of a screening test that can detect early signs of cancer in the colon with a view of eradicating them before they develop into full-blown cancers. People with a family history of colon cancer, or other associated diseases like inflammatory bowel disease should start the screenings earlier and get them more often. Scheduling a consultation with a healthcare provider helps one develop a one-on-one appointment schedule for screening to help one avoid getting sick at the wrong time.
5. Survival Rates
Colon cancer, in its early stages, comes with a much higher survival probability than if it is diagnosed later. Current statistics show that the survival rate of colon cancer patients is 91 percent and above, given that the cancer is only located in the colon. What some people are not aware of is that screening for the diseases and being aware of them can be of help.
Debunking Colon Cancer Myths
There are many myths associated with colon cancer, including the general one that only older people are at risk, the thin stool colon cancer myth, and many more. In reality, more and more younger adults can be affected by colon cancer. It is important to get our facts right and demystify myths in particular regarding early diagnosis.
Final Thoughts
It is fatal but highly preventable or non-fatal if detected early enough. People should be able to identify colon cancer symptoms and treat them at the earliest stage to benefit from better results. Some of the signs to look out for include; frequent constipation, the presence of blood in the stool, and intestinal pain that is persistent. It is for this reason that knowing the colon cancer signs as outlined above will help individuals take preventive measures towards getting a screening test done.
It was noted that examinations are valuable in enhancing the colon cancer symptoms survival rate. So, it is common to state that the colon cancer symptoms prognosis is fairly high if the disease is diagnosed at the first stage. It is also important to do periodic check-ups to detect the problem early and educate people on colon cancer symptoms. Dark blue – colon cancer ribbon color – reflects our mission to support those touched by colon cancer survival rate challenges as well as promote awareness of colon cancer risk factors and prevention.
The survival of colon cancer can be boosted up to an extensive extent when regular screening is accompanied by healthy living. It is essential to see a healthcare provider if you have any of the colon cancer signs or if you have any questions or worries. Let’s not forget that, more people survive colon cancer and have a better quality of life when the disease is detected early.