Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Recognizing Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Common signs and symptoms of Colon cancer include:

• A change in bowel habits. Changing from going to the toilet once a day to twice or more per day, or to once every two or three days. Even a change in your normal toilet time could be a symptom.
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
• Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool. The presence of blood can be easily checked for by using an inexpensive home test kit.
• Stools that are narrower than usual. This is subjective of course, no need for a ruler.
• General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and/or cramps).
• Weight loss with no known reason.
• Constant tiredness.
• Vomiting.

These symptoms may be caused by Colon cancer or by other conditions. It is important to check with a doctor.

Diagnosing Colon Cancer

To help find the cause of symptoms, the doctor evaluates a person's medical history. The doctor also performs a physical exam and may order one or more diagnostic tests.

• X-rays of the large intestine, such as the DCBE, can reveal polyps or other changes.
• A sigmoidoscopy lets the doctor see inside the rectum and the lower colon and remove polyps or other abnormal tissue for examination under a microscope.
• A colonoscopy lets the doctor see inside the rectum and the entire colon and remove polyps or other abnormal tissue for examination under a microscope.
• A polypectomy is the removal of a polyp during a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
• A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample for examination under a microscope by a pathologist to make a diagnosis.

Detecting Cancer Early

People who have any of the risk factors described under "Colon Cancer: Who's at Risk?" should ask a doctor when to begin checking for Colon cancer, what tests to have, and how often to have them. The doctor may suggest one or more of the tests listed below. These tests are used to detect normal growths, cancer, or other abnormalities, even when a person does not have symptoms. Your health care provider can explain more about each test.

• A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a test used to check for hidden blood in the stool. Sometimes cancers or growths can bleed, and FOBT is used to detect small amounts of bleeding. An inexpensive home test kit is available.
• A sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid colon) using a lighted instrument called a sigmoidoscope.
• A colonoscopy is an examination of the rectum and entire colon using a lighted instrument called a colonoscope.
• A double contrast barium enema (DCBE) is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum. The patient is given an enema with a solution that contains barium, which outlines the colon and rectum on the x-rays.
• A digital rectal exam (DRE) is an exam in which the doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormal areas.

Colon Cancer: Who's at Risk?

The exact causes of Colon cancer are not known. However, studies show that the following risk factors increase a person's chances of developing Colon cancer:

• Age. Colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. This disease is more common in people over the age of 50. However, Colon cancer can occur at younger ages, even, in rare cases, in their teens.
  
• Diet. Colon cancer seems to be associated with diets that are high in fat and calories and low in fibre. Researchers are exploring how these and other dietary factors play a role in the development of Colon cancer. An interesting article published in Science on 17th May 2003 indicated that Vitamin D may be crucial in Preventing Colon Cancer. Vitamin D is found in Fish Liver Oil, and are available as softgel capsules.
  
• Polyps. A rare, inherited condition, (called familial polyposis), causes hundreds of polyps to form in the colon and rectum. Unless this condition is treated, familial polyposis is almost certain to lead to Colon cancer.
  
• Personal medical history. Research shows that women with a history of cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast have a somewhat increased chance of developing Colon cancer. Also, a person who has already had Colon cancer may develop this disease a second time.
  Obesity and the consumption of high fat foods has also been recognised as being responsible for Colon Cancer. A nutritional well-balanced diet is of benefit for maintaining colonic health.
• Family medical history. First-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) of a person who has had Colon cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this type of cancer themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age. If many family members have had Colon cancer, the chances increase even more.
• Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed. Having this condition increases a person's chance of developing Colon cancer.

Having one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that a person will develop Colon cancer. It just increases the chances. People may want to talk with a doctor about these risk factors. The doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce the chance of developing Colon cancer and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups. If you want to check Oncologist quality or you need to find a Top Doctor, then click on the links.

Colon Cancer: Reducing the Risk

Research shows that Colon cancer develops gradually from normal growths. Early detection and removal of these growths may help to prevent Colon Cancer. You may need to find a Surgeon if neccessary. Studies are looking at stopping smoking, use of dietary supplements, use of aspirin or similar medicines, decreased alcohol consumption, and increased physical activity to see if these approaches can prevent Colon cancer. Some studies suggest that a diet low in fat and calories and high in fibre can help prevent Colon cancer.

It has been suggested that the consumption of dietary supplements rich in the active ingredients found in wasabia japonica and, to a lesser extent, other brassicas enables the human body to discard the mutating cells through the natural waste processes of the body. This appears to be borne out by research.

Researchers have discovered that changes in certain genes (basic units of heredity) raise the risk of Colon cancer. Individuals in families with several cases of Colon cancer may find it helpful to talk with a genetic counselor. The genetic counselor can discuss the availability of a special blood test to check for a genetic change that may increase the chance of developing Colon cancer. Although having such a genetic change does not mean that a person is sure to develop Colon cancer, those who have the change may want to talk with their doctor about what can be done to prevent the disease or detect it early.

If Colon Cancer is detected early there is a good chance of survival. Most professionals in this field believe that it is essential that patients undergo screening for early detection of precancerous conditions. There is a cheap home test kit available that allows you to carry out these tests in private.

The Importance of Follow up Care

Follow up care after treatment for Colon cancer is important. Regular checkups with your doctor or oncologist ensure that changes in health are noticed. If the cancer returns or a new cancer develops, it can be treated as soon as possible. Checkups may include a physical exam, a fecal occult blood test, a colonoscopy, x-rays, and lab tests. Between scheduled checkups, a person who has had Colon cancer should report any health problems to the doctor or oncologist as soon as they appear. One of the most important things you can do is to find a top Doctor that you can work with.

Providing Emotional Support

Living with a serious disease, such as cancer, is challenging. Apart from having to cope with the physical and medical challenges, people with cancer face many worries, feelings, and concerns that can make life difficult. Some people find they need help coping with the emotional as well as the practical aspects of their disease. They may need to find a Psychiatrist to help in this regard. In fact, attention to the emotional burden of having cancer is often a part of a patient's treatment plan. The support of the health care team (doctors, nurses, social workers, and others), support groups, and patient-to-patient networks can help people feel less alone and upset, and improve the quality of their lives. Cancer support groups provide a setting where cancer patients can talk about living with cancer with others who may be having similar experiences. Patients may want to speak to a member of their health care team about finding a support group. In some case it may be necessary to find a Nursing Home in order to offer the care and support that the patient needs.

Questions for Your Doctor

This website is designed to help you get information you need from your doctor, so that you can make informed decisions about your health care. In addition, asking your doctor the following questions will help you understand your condition better. To help you remember what the doctor says, you may want to take notes or ask whether you may use a tape recorder. Some people also want to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor -- to take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.

Diagnosis

• What tests can diagnose Colon cancer? Are they painful?
• How soon after the tests will I learn the results?
• Are my children or other relatives at higher risk for Colon cancer?
• What new tests are available?

Treatment

• What is the stage of my cancer?
• What treatments are recommended for me?
• Should I see a surgeon? Medical oncologist? Radiation oncologist?
• What clinical trials might be appropriate?
• Will I need a colostomy? Will it be permanent?
• What will happen if I don't have the suggested treatment?
• Will I need to be in the hospital to receive my treatment? For how long?
• How might my normal activities change during my treatment?
• After treatment, how often do I need to be checked? What type of follow up care should I have?

Side Effects

• What side effects should I expect? How long will they last?
• What side effects should I report? Whom should I call?

The Health Care Team

• Who will be involved with my treatment and rehabilitation? What role will each member of the health care team play in my care?
• What has been your experience in caring for patients with Colon cancer?

Resources

• Are there support groups in the area with people I can talk to?
• Where can I get more information about Colon cancer?

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