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Colorectal cancer is a disease of the colon and rectum areas caused by tumor growths originating from the large intestine. Benign tumors are referred to as polyps while malignant tumors are referred to as cancers. If benign polyps are not detected and removed, over time they can develop into malignant cancers. Malignant cancers in the colon area are referred to as colon cancer, and malignant cancers in the rectum area are referred to as rectal cancer. Grouped together both diseases are technically referred to as colorectal cancer. Typically statistics for both diseases are grouped under colon cancer, so many articles or reports may refer to colon cancer while meaning both colon and rectal cancer. Colorectal cancer can spread beyond the colon and rectum to damage neighboring organs and other tissues; the spreading process is referred to as metastasis of the colon cancer. Currently, when metastasis begins, the chances for a complete cure diminish dramatically. Being familiar with the colon cancer early symptoms can help head-off future problems that could become life-threatening.
One of the more important colon cancer early symptoms is rectal bleeding, which unfortunately is sometimes mistakenly dismissed as a hemorrhoids symptom and not given professional medical attention. Blood in the stool can be caused by a number of reasons; relative to colon cancer early symptoms, the presence of fresh or dried blood in the stool may indicate the existence of growths. Fresh blood in stool could be an indication of growths in the rectum, while dried blood could indicate the existence of growths in the colon. Professional medical attention should be given to any situation where blood is found in stool.
It should also be noted that other medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, diverticulosis and some ulcers can produce symptoms very similar to colorectal cancer. And outward symptoms can vary depending on where the growths are located within the large intestines.
In addition to rectal bleeding, another colon cancer early symptom is involuntary or unexpected weight loss. This type of weight loss is a clear indicator that the digestive system is undergoing a dramatic change. The growths or tumors may be hindering the digestive system’s ability to absorb the necessary nutrients from food. The weight loss would quickly be followed by fatigue and lowered energy levels. Again, these symptoms are sometimes mistakenly dismissed as a result of our modern fast-paced daily routines and are not give proper medical attention.
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent colon cancer altogether. Medical studies suggest that avoiding alcohol, smoking and obesity can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Staying tuned to your bodily functions and seeking medical attention if any colon cancer early symptoms are found will also ensure early detection, should growths arise. Recall the old adage – ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. Live happy and healthy!
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