Signs Of Colon Cancer Tips & Resources

According to a study conducted by the American Cancer Society, in the year 2009, in the U.S. approximately 52,000 men and 54,000 women were found to be suffering from colon cancer. It is considered to be one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

If detected early, the disease is fully curable. However, in the majority of cases, patients do not experience any symptoms in the early stages. The appearance of the symptoms and their intensity vary depending upon the size and location of the tumor.

Some early signs of colon cancer are as follows:

Vivid changes occur in the bowel habits. Both the frequency and consistency of bowel movements are affected by the presence of the tumor. Either the patient suffers from diarrhea or constipation, which persists for an extended period of time.

Cramping abdominal pain is one of the most prominent early signs of colon cancer. The pain is often accompanied by bloating and flatulence. The primary cause of pain in the abdomen in the tumor that is growing in the large intestine.

The growing tumor slows down the blood loss process. This leads to anemia, which is the root cause of fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness.

Irregular bowel movements and tumor in the intestine reduce the appetite of the patient. The body is continues to utilize usual amount of energy to function normally. As the food intake is less, therefore the patient starts losing weight because the stored fat is burned to fulfill the energy needs of the body.

The list of early signs of colon cancer also includes rectal bleeding, which is usually mistaken for hemorrhoids. In the case of colon cancer, the blood accompanying the stool is bright red or black in color. Often, the blood is not easily visible. In such instances, laboratory tests have to be performed to detect the presence of blood in stools.