Colon Cancer – Top Signs That One Should Get Tested
Colon or colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent cancer diagnosed in the country. The American Cancer Society shows a close relationship between food, body mass, and activity with the chances of developing it. Anyone over 50 has a higher risk of developing the disease, so it’s advisable to get checked regularly. Herein, we highlight crucial signs that indicate a person should see a doctor and get tested for this disease.
Colon Cancer
The colon absorbs water and electrolytes, ferments indigestible food matter by bacteria, produces and absorbs vitamins, and forms, stores, and propels feces toward the rectum for elimination. Colon cancer is a disease where cells in the colon or rectum grow uncontrollably and abnormally, infiltrating and destroying normal body tissues. Stages of such a condition are based on the size of the primary tumor and its growth into the colon or rectum wall, whether the tumor has spread to nearby nodes, and whether it has metastasized to distant nodes or organs.
Signs One Should Get a Tested
As mentioned, the stages are determined by tumor size and how far it has grown into the wall of one’s colon or rectum, whether the infection has spread to surrounding nodes, and whether it has metastasized to distant nodes or organs. In the early stages of the disease, it is often symptomless in most patients. Depending on the tumor’s location and size, different symptoms may appear at different times. Here are some early signs of colon cancer that should prompt one to get tested immediately:
Persistent Bowel Movement Issues
Persistent changes in bowel habits can cause worry, such as watery loose stools called diarrhea, constipation, or a sudden change in the stool’s consistency, like dry or hard stools with fluid leaking out around the stool. If any of these signs last for a long time, it can be a sign to get one’s colon tested for cancerous cells.
Rectal Bleeding
Bloody stools often indicate rectal bleeding, a sign of colon or rectal cancer. The blood in the stool may look crimson red or maroon, or dark brown to black and tar-like, which is visible to the naked eye. The bleeding may be in the digestive tract and only detectable under a microscope, discovered after a stool sample during a lab test. Such a sign can also be that of hemorrhoids, which is easier to treat, but if the bleeding persists, is heavy, or is frequent, it’s best to check it.
Persistent Abdominal Discomforts
Temporary discomfort or bloating may indicate a normal buildup of gas. But suppose one hasn’t made any significant lifestyle changes and still persistently experiences excessive gas accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, or a feeling of fullness or nausea. In that case, it may signify a more serious underlying health issue.
A Feeling of Incomplete Bowel Movements
In this case, one experiences a constant sense that one’s bowels are not emptying even if there is no remaining stool to expel. The feeling might be caused by other illnesses like Crohn’s disease, inflammation, or colitis. The persistence of such an issue accompanied by pain or cramps necessitates that one gets their colon tested.
Constant Weakness or Chronic Fatigue
Cancer is known to cause chronic fatigue or weakness in patients, which the excess energy may bring on that abnormal cells consume and the strain they put on one’s gastrointestinal tract. Although intermittent exhaustion is normal, chronic fatigue because of this disease does not go away with rest.
Unexplained Mass Loss
People dealing with advanced colon cancer often experience a combination of excess mass and muscle loss. Losing 10 pounds or more in such a way can be the first noticeable indication, and it’s advisable to immediately consult a doctor.
Other Risk Factors
Here are a few more factors that may increase the risk of colon cancer:
Family History
According to numerous studies, people with a first-degree relative with a history of colon cancer, including parents or siblings, are at a higher risk of developing it. When a cell’s DNA is damaged and continues to divide, even when new cells aren’t needed, it forms a tumor. Some DNA mutations, known as hereditary mutations, can be passed down through generations. For example, for one with such a family history of this disease, it is recommended to do regular screenings starting from 40 instead of 50.
Age
The likelihood of developing colon cancer rises with age. Although it can occur in young individuals, it is considerably more typical in people over 50. For men, the diagnosis average age is 68, whereas it is 72 for women.
Unhealthy Lifestyle
Frequently consuming foods high in fat and calories and poor in fiber may be linked to colon and rectal cancer. While the findings of this research have been limited, people who eat heavily processed food and red meat and follow a sedentary or inactive lifestyle are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
Diabetes
The high sugar level and insulin foster an environment in one’s colon that makes cancer more likely to grow. High blood sugar levels associated with Type 2 diabetes also cause an increase in overall body inflammation, which increases the risk of developing this disease.
Inflammatory Intestinal Conditions
People suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s, are at a higher risk of colon cancer. IBD is a condition where the colon is inflamed. If left untreated for a long time, it develops into dysplasia, wherein cells found in the colon or rectum lining appear abnormal but are not cancerous but may eventually develop into such a type. If one has IBD, it is recommended to get checked earlier.
One should check with their doctor as soon as they notice such issues to get a treatment plan drawn out promptly.
