Symptoms of Colon Cancer

A malignant tumor that develops in the large intestine causes colon cancer. The tumor starts as a small growth on the inner lining of the rectum or colon. Most tumors do not develop cancer, but it's important to get screenings to avoid possible cancer diagnosis.

Most of the cases of colorectal cancer do not have symptoms or warning signs until the cancer is at an advanced stage. Other conditions can cause the same symptoms as colorectal cancer such as infection, IBD, hemorrhoids, and many others. It is important to see the doctor to ascertain your condition.

Some of the colon cancer symptoms include:

Abdominal pain – Almost everyone experiences bloating, abdominal pain, or cramps. But there are times you feel unfamiliar abdominal pain, and that is when you should contact a doctor for further testing for diagnosis. 

Blood in stool – Anal bleeding is a serious condition, whether it is caused by cancer or hemorrhoids.  It is recommended to see a physician right away for a colonoscopy to check for polyps.

Weight loss – A significant amount of weight loss that is unexplained may be due to colon cancer. This occurs when the disease is in its advanced stages.

Other symptoms include changes in bowel habits, unexplained anemia, nausea, and vomiting.

Colorectal cancer may recur even after successful treatment because there may be undetected cells during treatment. It is important to have follow-up care after treatment to check for any recurrence and monitor your recovery. The checkups include lab tests, CT scans, colonoscopy, physical examination, and X-rays.

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