Symtoms Of Colon Cancer

Learn the symptoms of colon cancer here in this article. Colon cancer is a life threatening disease, but it is curable if caught in the early stages. Colon cancer affects about seven percent of the American population and with proper treatment, the prospects are good. Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is a cancer of the large intestines, which is part of your digestive system. Usually colon cancer appears from small benign polyps that eventually become cancerous. This is why it is imperative to have regular exams to seek and remove any benign polyps before they become malignant. The chances of survival with colon cancer largely depend on what stage you were diagnosed with. With patients who were diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer, the survival rate is very good. When the patient is diagnosed at stage 3, the chances for survival drops considerably, so early detection is imperative.  

1. Change in Bowel Habits. Change in bowel habits would indicate a person who is normally constipated all the time, to have diarrhea constantly or vice versa. The change in bowel habits should be for more than a few weeks, not just for a few days.
2. Rectal Bleeding. Another sure sign is rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. This should be observed easily when you wipe after using the bathroom. Again rectal bleeding does not indicate cancer in all cases, but when combined with the other colon cancer symptoms; this is a reason to visit your doctor.
3. Unexplained Weight Loss. If you are losing weight for no apparent reason, this becomes a symptom to consider seriously. Many will gain weight for no reason at all, but weight loss may be a dangerous sign and symptom of cancer.
4. Fatigue. Fatigue and overall feeling of being under the weather is not necessarily a cancer symptom. Many will have the flu or a cold and feel fatigued, but combine the feeling of fatigue with the other symptoms and then you have a reason to be concerned.
5. Stomach Discomfort. A symptom of stomach cancer is pain, gas and general overall feeling of discomfort. Cramps may also be accompanied with the gas and the pain. Stomach discomfort and gas would give you a feeling of being bloated with no relief.
   
6. Constant Feeling the Bowel Does not Empty Completely. This final symptom discussed in this article is one that many have. No matter how many times you go to the bathroom, you just feel like you need to go again. It is the feeling like you got up from the commode too early.

Colon cancer is curable if caught in the early stages.  Most people do not catch colon cancer early enough due to the fact of the discomfort of the colonoscopy tests. The tests are not easy to handle, but most patients can leave the hospital one hour after the procedure is completed. Colon cancer will start often from a benign polyp, so it is important to have regular examinations and visit the doctor at the first sign or symptom listed in this article.