Colon Cancer: Early Symptoms and Warning Signs of Colorectal Cancer

Growth in children, and healing of wounds in adults and children alike, is accomplished by proliferation of cells. Healthy cells divide at a normal rate. However, when a cell is affected by cancer it starts dividing at an abnormally high rate. This results in a much higher number of cells than required and forms cancerous growths in the affected part of the body. Cancer can affect various parts of the body and is a leading cause of deaths in the US. Of all the various types of cancer, colon cancer is the second highest cause of cancer deaths in western countries. Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, refers to cancer in the colon, rectum and the appendix.

Colon Cancer: Early symptoms

Rectal Bleeding: One of the most common colon cancer early symptoms is rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. However, rectal bleeding is not caused only due to colorectal cancer. It may be the result of hemorrhoids or a tear in the rectum. It can also be caused due to problems in bowel movement. Also, certain foods like beets and red licorice add a red tinge to the stool. Iron supplements and certain medications turn the stool darker in color. It is due to these reasons that blood in the stool is often not considered as a serious indicator of colorectal cancer. However, dried blood in the stool indicates cancerous growth in the colon, whereas normal blood could be due to cancer in the rectum. Hence, presence of blood in stool should never be dismissed. It is best to go for a screening for colon cancer if one persistently passes blood in the stool.

Narrow Stools: Though narrow stools do not cause any discomfort, they can be a sign of colorectal cancer. Tumorous growth in the colon or rectum results in the narrowing of the these parts. As the waste material tries to navigate through the constricted path, it gets narrowed. Prolonged period of narrow stool indicates that an individual requires a medical check up.

Weight Loss: If one detects considerable loss in weight even when one is not dieting or exercising regularly, it could be an early sign of colorectal cancer. As the digested food passes through the colon, the walls of the colon absorbs moisture from it and retains it in the body. The tumorous growth interferes with this function of the colon. Weight loss could be associated with fatigue and a constant feeling of tiredness in case of colorectal cancer.

Irregular Bowel Movement: Tumorous growth in the colon or rectum hinders smooth movement of waste material out of the body. This can cause constipation. Constipation leads to bloating and cramping. Irregular bowel movements may also lead to frequent bouts of diarrhea.

Other Colon Cancer Warning Signs:

• Obstruction in the proper excretion of waste material out of the body causes formation of gas in the alimentary canal. Also the tumor does not allow the gas to pass out of the body completely. All this results in flatulence which often causes gas pains in the abdomen.
• Another colon cancer warning sign is the feeling of emptying one's bowel even after having done so. Presence of the cancerous growth in the colon or rectum gives the body a feeling that there is still some excreta in the intestines. This creates a feeling of unfinished defecation.
• Nausea and vomiting is also caused due to improper disposal of waste from body.
• If one is diagnosed with anemia while he is also suffering from rectal bleeding, this may be an early sign of colorectal cancer.

If any of these colon cancer early symptoms persists in an individual for long, he should definitely go to his physician for a medical check up. In case the physician suspects colon cancer, he may advise his patient to go through a colonoscopy procedure. This procedure is preceded by bowel preparation to clean the colon, after which the colon and the rectum are inspected visually for any abnormal growth. Although some might find colonoscopy to be uncomfortable and intrusive, it is very important as it is the only way of detecting colon cancer.

Since the warning signs and early symptoms of colon cancer do not cause great discomfort, and can be a result of minor ailments as well, they are often ignored. However, it is best to be careful of the symptoms of colon cancer in the early stages itself, as early treatment can cure this disease.