Colon Cancer

Know Colon Cancer Symptoms Before It's Too Late

Generally colon cancer symptoms are hard to detect. However, if there is blood in the stool, intestinal obstruction, weight loss without reason, narrow stools, abdominal pain, unexplained anemia, diarrhea, constipation, changes in bowel habits, continuous or occasional abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen on a recurring basis, there are chances that you may be a possible candidate for cancer of the colon as these are colon cancer symptoms and signs.

Should these symptoms persist, say over 2 days or more, and you have not consulted your physician, then you should do so immediately. It is better that even if you have one of these abnormalities, it is advisable to contact your physician.  He will perform a physical examination of your general well being, and particularly test you around your belly, and ask to you to take some tests so as to rule out cancer of the colon.

He will ask for a Colonoscopy or Sigmoidoscopy done to check whether symptons of colon cancer are seen in its early stages. Further, he would ask for stool tests to detect the amount of blood that is present in the stool which may suggest colon cancer. However, this stool test is not by itself a completely reliable test. A Colonoscopy is the right choice since that test shows the entire colon. But combined together with the stool test would give a better indication of the presence of cancer in the colon. Generally a full blood test is asked for since that would rule out or indicate anemia though with less iron levels. Your doctor may also opt for imaging of the abdomen to detect whether the colon is clear or if there is any mass, not related to the colon, or others, is present or not.

If the above tests are positive, the physician would ask for additional tests to check whether it is colon cancer or colorectal cancer, and if so check and see what stage it is in. There is a four stage check of colorectal cancer.

In the first stage, the symtoms of colon cancer indicate very early cancer, in the next; the inner layers of the colon may have cancer. In the subsequent stage, cancer has spread through the muscle wall of the colon, lymph nodes have been affected by cancer, in the next (third) stage, and in the last, and cancer has spread to other organs.

Generally, people who have some or part of the signs may imagine that they have this cancer, and psyche themselves into believing that they have it.  This is not so.  Only your physician can determine whether it is simple, non-recurring colon cancer symtoms, or whether you need further tests. To repeat, if you have the symptoms, outlined above in a semi-recurring form, you should consult your physician.  On the basis of tests, if you have it, the stage is then determined, and then only treatment is started.  Have faith in your physician who knows best.

Also remember today there are good treatment of colon cancer available.

Colon Cancer