by SA Professional

Created on: July 27, 2009

5 Warning Signs of Colon Cancer Worth Paying Attention To

It come as no surprise that the early symptoms and warning signs of colon cancer are usually mistaken for irregularities caused by modern day lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits such as overeating. However, this once, it might be a good idea to pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you.

You might be at risk if you are:

1. Having a family history of colon cancer

2. Over the age of 40

3. Having bowel movement irregularities

The 5 most common warning signs of colon cancer are:

1. Blood in the Stool

It may be of no significance to you, and you may think you have a perfectly clear explanation for having blood in your stool like suffering from hemorrhoids for example. With this being the most common indication to colon cancer, all doctors agree that it is imperative to consult with your medical practitioner at once if blood is found in your stool.

Normally as feces pass through the colon, it causes tumors to bleed. More often than not, no blood is visible because it is caught in the centre of the feces or due to the higher up location of the tumor in the dietary tract.

2. Variable Bowel Patterns

Variable bowel patterns such as lingering diarrhea, abnormal flatulence, passing thinner stool, urge to defecate after bowel movement and even undeclared constipation are all signs of possible colon cancer. The common reason for these changes in bowel patterns is normally caused by the obstruction caused by the tumor.

3. Abdominal Discomfort

It is not uncommon for each of us to experience some abdominal discomfort at some or other time during our lifetime. However, when the discomfort lasts for longer than normal, you should not delay seeking medical attention. It has been reported that in some cases the tumor cause obstruction in the colon which prevents normal peristaltic movement and passing of feces.

Usually this results in cramps, swollen abdomen, nausea, and even vomiting. In the events where uncontrollable pain is present, it can be due to a large tumor that pierced the bowel wall. This in itself causes critical complications.

4. Overtiredness and Exhaustion

Although it may be true that being overtired and exhausted can be a result of an array of other forms of disease and ailments, when referring to colon cancer, a lack of iron is the main reason why patients feel exhausted or overtired for no specific reason.

The iron deficiency is caused due to the bleeding of the tumor which causes blood loss and results in anemia. How long it takes to diagnose a bleeding tumor in the colon will have an impact on the significant signs of exhaustion and overtiredness.

5. Uncontrolled Weight Loss

Initially a person having problems with weight management or being overweight my find sudden weight loss as a pleasant surprise. On the contrary, weight loss without making any attempts is reason to be concerned and should be addressed instantaneously.

With alternative types of cancers weight loss are much more noticeable than you will find with colon cancer. In the event of colon cancer, weight loss is rather related to a loss of appetite due to the mentioned abdominal discomfort.

The Best Advice

With ever increasing and expanding research on cancer and the treatment thereof, being diagnosed with cancer need not be an indefinite death sentence. The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the better change there is for positive prognosis.

What will the best advice be? Listen and adhere to the warning signs and symptoms your body is signaling. Do not make your own conclusions or estimates. Seek reliable medical advice at the soonest.

Learn more about this author, SA Professional.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.