Colon Cancer Warning Signs
The colon refers to a vital part of the digestive system. It plays the role of absorbing nutrients, minerals and water. The colon even assists in getting rid of body waste in the form of stool. Making up the majority of large intestine, is almost six feet.
Colorectal cancer or colon cancer involves cancerous intensification in the rectum, appendix and colon. It is the third most regular type of cancer causing numerous deaths. The major cause of colon cancer is supposed to arise from adenomatous polyps or mushroom shaped growths, present inside the colon.
Colon cancer signs of warning are quite silent usually not clearly visible in the early stages of this type of cancer. These symptoms may extend up to five years and many may go undetected leading to ambiguous situation.
The location of tumor in the bowel decides the colon cancer signs of warning. The signs may be divided into three sub categories as follows:
1. Local symptoms
2. Metastatic symptoms
3. Constitutional symptoms
Local symptoms occur if the tumor is close to the anus. Due to this it affects the bowel habit leading to constipation, diarrhea, reduction in diameter of stool, change in stool shape and tenesmus. Lower gastrointestinal bleeding or presence of red blood in the stool, black stool or Melena is some other symptoms of colorectal cancer. Bowel obstruction may also occur in case the tumor fills the entire bowel. This results in abdominal pain and vomiting. This cancer may also cause air or blood in the urine.
Among metastatic symptoms, jaundice and pain in the abdomen may be noticed if the tumor spreads to the liver.
Under constitutional symptoms, iron deficiency anemia takes place in case of chronic bleeding. Fatigue and paleness of skin is accompanied by weight loss causing diabetes, depression or infections.
There are a number colon cancer signs of warning developing this disease. Some of them are age, family history of colon cancer, smoking, diet, environmental factors, drinking, no physical activity, etc.
Most cases of this kind of cancer arise in the 60s or 70s. History of colon cancer maybe one of the leading causes of this disease. Smoking makes a person vulnerable to this disease 30% more than any non-smoker. Moreover, person’s diet contributes a great deal to this type of cancer. Red meat consumers are more likely to fall prey to colon cancer than a person consuming fruits and vegetables. Fish decreases the risk of colon cancer. Drinking or consumption of alcohol in heavy amounts is yet another reason behind this cancer. Contributing to the risk factors, a person’s physical inactivity is few of the greatest jeopardy. Environmental factors leading to change in diet also heads the colon cancer signs of warning.
The cure to this disease comes through chemotherapy or radiation therapy and surgery. In addition to this, one must be strong as well as determined to fight back this disease with all the courage and confidence. After all, the one who fights is the one who wins! But will power plays a crucial role here.
