If you have not had or plan to have your first colonoscopy, it is too late. You need to make this a priority as soon as possible. Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is the third most common cancer among both men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and most occur in people over the age of 50.
A
Mortality rates from colorectal cancer have declined slowly in recent years. This alone will motivate you to schedule a colonoscopy. Also keep an eye out for these common colon cancer symptoms as well as regular screenings.
Change your bowel habits
One of the first symptoms of colon cancer is often a change in bowel habits. If you experience unusual diarrhea, constipation, or loose stools that last for more than a few days, you should contact your doctor. Bowel changes may be normal, but if they persist, they may be a sign of a more serious problem and should be ruled out.
Dark brown or black stool
If your stools are darker than usual, this usually indicates bleeding from the rectum or colon. Sometimes they become bright red and very visible, sometimes the stools become darker. This is a major warning sign of colon cancer. Of course, there are other causes of blood in your stool, such as hemorrhoids, but if you notice dark or red blood in your stool, see your doctor immediately.
older people with symptoms of colon cancer and abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
We all experience unpleasant bloating and gas from time to time. However, if you experience chronic pain such as bloating, cramping, gas, or severe abdominal pain, it could be a sign of colon cancer. This symptom usually appears in later stages of cancer and should not be ignored.
Unexplained weight loss
Who doesn’t want to lose weight, right? If we could magically lose weight, we would all be happy. Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true, and weight loss for no apparent reason is often a red flag that something is wrong. Colon cancer and other types of cancer can cause unexplained weight loss, so you should consult your doctor.
Fatigue and weakness
Don’t confuse fatigue with tiredness. If you’re tired, a good night’s sleep will help solve this problem, but being tired is another matter. Yes, if you’re tired, you can feel tired, but it’s a debilitating, bland kind of fatigue. The fatigue associated with cancer saps your energy and leaves you feeling heavy and weak. Just getting up and doing small tasks seems like a hindrance. If you experience fatigue, it is recommended to talk to your doctor to rule out possible causes related to colon cancer or another serious illness. Fatigue is not normal.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors Should Be Avoided
Early detection of these symptoms is the best way to detect and successfully treat colon cancer. If detected early, the 5-year survival rate is around 90%. To control these symptoms of colon cancer, it is important to consider potential risk factors.
Of course, there are risk factors you can’t control, like your age and family history, but there are a few things you can control, including:
Overweight
Smoking
Drinks a lot
Diabetes
Sedentary lifestyle
Eat a diet rich in processed meats
The risk of colon cancer increases with age, so it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle and address risk factors that are within your control.
Schedule your colon screening today!
If you have any of the symptoms of colon cancer listed above, contact your doctor immediately. Regular colon exams are important when colon cancer can be detected and treated early.
Many of these symptoms can be ignored and dismissed as something else or something else, but they should never be ignored. There is no need to wait to see your doctor, as symptoms become more common as the disease progresses.
Talk to your doctor about how often you should get checked. He or she will make recommendations regarding your risk factors and family history of colon cancer, as well as other types of cancer. Take precautions to keep your body healthy and avoid cancer