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How do you know you have colon cancer? What made you realize that, and when did you realise you need to see a doctor? What are the signs and symptoms of this illness? What exactly is colon cancer? If you are interested in learning more about these topics, you have come to the correct place. If you have serious abdominal pain, notice blood in your stool or notice a change in bowel habit and you think you may have colon cancer, this article will help you. Mr Ahmed will answer the questions and concerns you may have about colon or colorectal cancer.
Colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer. It is a specific disease in which rectal or colon cells grow without control. The colon is the large bowel or large intestine in your body attached to the anus through the rectal chamber. The aberrant cell proliferation that causes colon cancer often starts as benign polyps. The symptoms below maybe able to indicate whether a person has colon cancer, but it is important to note that colorectal cancers sometimes have no symptoms and occasionally the symptoms are very vague.
Colon Cancer And Rectal Bleeding
Colon cancer is frequently linked to rectal bleeding or stool bleeding. The color of the blood in your stool or on the toilet paper can signal various problems.
For example,
- If your stool is dark and tar-like in colour, it represents gastric hemorrhage.
- If the stool is maroon or dark red colour, it signifies a bleeding source in the colon or possibly form the small intestine.
- Finally, if the blood is bright red, it indicates bleeding in the colon or anus.
Most rectal bleeding is from a benign cause. However, it is important to investigate rectal bleeding which persists for more than six weeks and it is more important for those people who are over the age of 45 or have a family history of colorectal cancers. Here, at JA Surgeon, Mr Ahmed performs comprehensive diagnostic tests to investigate such conditions.
Persistent Lower Abdominal Pain
Colon cancers may be associated with stomach discomfort. They are also associated with some bloating and pain especially in the left or lower abdomen.
Tummy or abdominal pain varies in intensity. However, it is one of the most common and persistent symptoms experienced by a patient who suffers from significant colorectal pathology.
CHANGE IN BOWEL HABITS
A change in the bowel habit is also one of the most common symptoms related to rectum or colon cancers. A new-onset of diarrhoea or constipation are examples of these alterations. Changes in the size, calibre, or frequency of bowel motions as well as a colon that does not seem to empty and excretes a narrower stool than normal (sometimes as thin like a pencil) may be associated with colorectal cancers.
According to ncbi.nlm, out of 628 patients, 22% were diagnosed with colon cancer. Out of 22%, 6% were diagnosed as colon cancer patients with the symptom of a change in bowel habit (age group 55-64 years), and 14% were from the age group of 75 years and older.
Colon Cancer accompanies Unusually Severe Fatigue
What is more, fatigue is the least conclusive but most common sign of any cancer type. It may occur when the tumours or polyps within the digestive tract begin to bleed leading to anaemia and iron deficiency.
According to research, fatigue is one of the significant symptoms of colon cancer, and 26.8% of colon cancer patients experienced this. Sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and performance status are all predictors of fatigue. If all these symptoms are present, fatigue will be 80%, whilst fatigue without these symptoms will be 8%.
Bleeding in COLORECTAL Cancer causes Low Blood Count (ANEMIA)
Colorectal cancer causes gastrointestinal bleeding. Blood can sometimes be seen in the stool, and blood might make your stool appear darker. Anaemia occurs when blood is lost through the stool over time. In some cases, the naked eye will not detect blood loss; therefore, you should get a blood test done to see if there is blood loss in your stool.
According to research, 127 patients had right-sided colon cancer, and 87 had anaemia. On the other hand, 98 patients had left-sided colon cancer, and 43 had anaemia.
Unintentional Weight Loss In Colon Cancer
Experiencing sudden and unexpected weight loss? This may be related to colorectal cancer. Typically, this occurs because cells require more of the body’s energy, and your immune system works overtime to combat them. If the tumour is large enough, it might cause blockages in the colon, leading to greater weight loss and significant bowel abnormalities.
According to research published in the British Journal of Cancer, 63,973 patients were down with unexpected weight loss. Among them, 1375 were diagnosed with cancer. An association was more significant in men aged more than or equal to 50 years and women more than or equal to 70 years.
How I knew I had Colon Cancer
It is important to know that the abovementioned symptoms are very common. However, some patients will not have any symptoms. If there is anything bothering you, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. The faster you act, the sooner it will be diagnosed and treated.
References
What Is Colorectal Cancer? (n.d.). Retrieved from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/what-is-colorectal-cancer.htm#:~:text=Colorectal%20cancer%20is%20a%20disease,the%20colon%20to%20the%20anus
Rectal Bleeding. (n.d.). Retrieved from Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/14612-rectal-bleeding
Rectal Bleeding. (n.d.). Retrieved from National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563143/
Colon Cancer Symptoms. (8 September 2021). Retrieved from Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/colorectal-cancer/colon-cancer-symptoms
Abdominal symptoms and cancer in the abdomen: prospective cohort study in European primary care. (10 April 2018). Retrieved from National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5916077/
Colon Cancer Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved from Colon Cancer Coalition: https://coloncancercoalition.org/get-educated/what-you-need-to-know/colon-cancer-symptoms/
The value of a complete blood count in predicting cancer of the colon. (n.d.). Retrieved from National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15041076/
