Colorectal Cancer Symptoms – Do You Know?

Colon cancer or colorectal cancer generally begins from the large intestine or colon. This is the last or final part of the digestive tract. This cancer generally targets older adults, but at any age it can happen. At the first stage, it comes up as a small and noncancerous or benign cell accumulation known as polyps and grows inside the colon. With time, these polyps can turn malignant and grow cancer.

Polyps are very small and can be very few. That is why our GI doctors always suggest regular screening tests for preventing colon cancer as it identifies and removes all polyps before they turn malignant. If colon cancer grows in the intestine, there are many treatment options available for controlling it like surgery, radiation therapy or medication like chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

There are many symptoms that can come up at different stages of life. The symptoms could be inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, hemorrhoids or infection. Consult a gastroenterologist to ensure the best treatment.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Cramps and Abdominal Pain

You can feel occasional stomach pain, but you need to see a doctor if the pain stays for a long time.

Irregular or Changed Bowel Movements

Abnormal bowel movements are a serious symptom to consider. Constipation or diarrhea is normal, and it happens to everyone. If the bowel movement is changed erratically, this is something to take care of.

Blood in Stool

Rectal bleeding must be checked by an experienced doctor as it indicates colorectal cancer among other conditions. To spot this kind of bleeding, watch the water in toiler bowl, look for darkened stool etc.

Weight Loss

Unexplained and sudden weight loss is the symptom when the disease reaches in an advanced stage. If you are losing weight without any dietary changes or exercises, visit a doctor.

Causes

There are no certain causes outlined for colorectal or colon cancer. The colon cancer grows in normal and healthy cells and cell mutation makes changes in their DNA. The DNA holds a set of instructions that tells a cell about its functionality.

Typically, healthy cells divide and develop so that the functionalities of a body remain the same and normal. But when DNA is damaged and turns cancerous and cells start mutation – cancer starts sneaking inside the body rapidly as all the new cell accumulate and forms a tumor.

With time, the cancerous cells start growing and infect other healthy surrounding tissues. You can visit Digestive Disease Specialists Inc for treatment.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.