Colon and Rectal Cancer Symptoms

The colon is an important part of the digestive system, and as such has an important role in helping the body absorb nutrients, minerals and water. The colon also helps the body rid itself of wastes in the form of feces. The colon is most of the large intestine, approximately six feet long. The last six inches of the large intestine is the rectum and anal canal. The symptoms of colon cancer are not always obvious, but you can learn what the symptoms look and feel. Understanding the symptoms of colon cancer is important because you can use this knowledge to work with your doctor to find the cause and take care of their health in the long term.

Colon cancer can have many symptoms. However, in the early stages, people with colon cancer often have no symptoms at all. This is why the tests beginning at 50 is an important investment in your future health.

The symptoms of colon cancer are presented in two general varieties:

1.Local symptoms of colon cancer
Local symptoms of colon cancer affects their bathroom habits and the colon itself. Some of the most common local symptoms of colon cancer include:

Changes in bowel habits, such as bowel movements more or less frequent than normal
Constipation (difficulty passing stool or straining to defecate)
Diarrhea (loose or watery stools)
Intermittent (alternating), constipation and diarrhea
Blood red or dark red or black stools, dark colored stools "wait"
Stools that are narrower than normal ("pencil stools") or feel you can not completely empty your bowels
Abdominal (abdomen) discomfort, bloating, frequent gas pains or cramps
If you notice any of these two weeks or more, call your doctor immediately to discuss their concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

2. Systemic symptoms of colon cancer
Systemic symptoms of colon cancer are those affecting the whole body, such as weight loss, and include:

Unintentional weight loss (weight loss without dieting or trying to lose weight)
Loss of appetite
Unexplained fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Nausea or vomiting
Anemia (low red blood count or iron in red blood cells)
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes)
If you experience any of these for a long time, even a couple of days, call your doctor immediately to discuss their concerns and arrange for tests to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

Almost all cases of colorectal cancer begins with the development of benign polyps or noncancerous. The polyps develop when cells lining the colon are reproduced too quickly. These polyps can become cancerous, invading the colon wall and surrounding blood vessels and spread to other parts of the body.

Many people with colorectal cancer have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. When symptoms appear, it is likely to vary depending on the size and location of cancer in the large intestine. Studies suggest that the average duration of symptoms (from the beginning of diagnosis) is 14 weeks. No overall association between duration of symptoms and stage of tumor. Therefore, it is best to get regular screenings rather than rely on symptoms of colon cancer to warn of the presence of a tumor. This is because colon cancer can grow for years before causing symptoms. However, knowing what to look out for surely can not hurt.


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