When it comes to diseases, cancer is definitely among the worst. Although conventional medicine does offer treatment options like chemo and radiation, they do not work for everyone.
In order to elevate one’s chances of survival, it is crucial to be able to address the illness early on. With this in mind, this article’s main focus is on presenting the early symptoms of colon cancer that you must never neglect. If you happen to notice any of them, seek immediate medical attention.
7 Symptoms of Colon Cancer
- Tenesmus
This symptom refers to a constant need to pass stool, even though your bowels are empty. It may occur with several illnesses, including colon cancer. During a bowel movement, you may be straining a lot with the goal to empty the bowel; however, the stool passed is of a very small amount.
- Loss of weight
As explained on Healthi Guide, noticing a significant weight loss that has happened in a short amount of time, without actually trying to lose weight, may be an indicator of cancer, especially colon cancer which is known to cause chaos in the digestion and the proper absorption of nutrients.
- Flatulence
Bad gas that does not go away, regardless of whether your stool is normal or narrow or whether you experience constipation or diarrhea is a cause for concern because it is a common symptom of colon cancer. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked because of the fact that flatulence is considered a normal occurence and it may happen in healthy people too, which makes it more difficult to qualify when flatulence occurs excessively.
- Constipation
Overly thick, hard, and inflexible stool that cannot be comfortably removed from the body is not uncommon among colon cancer patients. What’s more, due to the forcing and straining happening during bowel movement, the constipation may also lead to rectal bleeding. The constipation happens as a result of the stool being blocked by tumors and lesions.
- Diarrhea
Changes in bowel movement, including diarrhea, is another sign of colon cancer. Diarrhea is a result of stool that has not been completely formed and thus, the body releases a small, solid amount and a lot of liquid. When it happens with colon cancer, it is a consequence of the cancer-related infections or blockage averting complete bowel movements.
- Narrow stool
The size, shape, color, and texture of your stool can reveal a lot about your health. Therefore, if you have been noticing that your stool is narrow, it may be a consequence of colon cancer spreading in the body. It has to do with the blockage taking place throughout the colon which makes the body expel waste through a narrower opening.
- Abdominal ache
Colon cancer may often expand rapidly and lead to blockage, stress, and even tears that increase the amount of pain a patient will experience. Hence, colon cancer sufferers may be prone to a dull or sharp ache in the abdomen.
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