9 Hidden Signs of Colon Cancer Most People Ignore

PowerofpositivityJan 6, 2023Read original

Cancer

Signs of colon cancer can be confusing because common ailments can indicate other issues. You might not realize that your body is signaling a life-threatening condition. It often leads to ignoring the signs of colorectal cancer, but it’s always best to contact a health professional to be safe.

Even if you believe your symptoms aren’t life-threatening, consider visiting your doctor early. It can either reassure you that it’s not cancer or get you into treatment before cancer spreads.

Understanding the risk factors and signs of colorectal cancer can help save your life. Ignoring the symptoms can have deadly consequences, so it’s always best to know for sure.

Some risk factors increase your chance of developing colon cancer. Understanding the risks can help you decide to make beneficial life changes. Some of the risks include the following:

Colon cancer can cause gastrointestinal issues, including nausea or vomiting. These symptoms typically occur when the tumor cells appear in the upper area or get big enough to cause an intestinal obstruction.

Nausea and vomiting often occur in advanced cancer stages, so you’d probably already know you had it. It often occurs after the patient has already begun treatment. However, it sometimes happens sooner, so it’s essential not to ignore it.

Feeling bloated, uncomfortable, or having the persistent urge to have a bowel movement are some signs of colon cancer. You likely also notice an increase in gas and bloating.

Even after a bowel movement, you might still feel like you should go again. It often occurs when a cancer tumor blocks the intestinal tract. While these signs might indicate colon cancer, they can also be a sign of Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and others.

Noticing blood in your stool is a sign of colon cancer. You might see blood in the toilet or recognize it when you wipe.

Sometimes you might not realize that there’s blood in your stool, but you will notice a change in the appearance. It might look bloody or black, indicating bleeding in your rectum, anus, or digestive tract.

You might want a colon cancer screening if you experience persistent cramps or low back pain. The cramping might involve sharp pains, but it’s sometimes a dull ache.

Cramping is often one of the signs of colon cancer that’s harder to recognize because it can result from many other common conditions. It could occur because of poor diet, food intolerance, stress, excess gas, or poor digestion. However, if your cramping becomes chronic, intense, or long-lasting, consider visiting your healthcare professional immediately.

Experiencing a change in bowel habits can indicate cancer. Having diarrhea for more than three days is cause for alarm, and you should consider consulting a healthcare provider. Consider discussing constipation that lasts for more than two weeks with a doctor.

Consider tracking when your bowel movements began to change to recognize how long it continues. Tracking can also help you determine if other lifestyle changes are to blame rather than cancer. Plus, the more information you have for your doctor, the more likely it is to get a quick and accurate diagnosis.

Fatigue and weakness indicate colon cancer, especially when nothing seems to ease it. You might constantly feel tired, even after improving your health in other ways or getting more sleep.

Cancer cells deplete your energy as they grow, causing your healthy cells to miss out. Additionally, you’ll lose energy if you can’t eat well or experience diarrhea. Sometimes colon cancer causes anemia, another issue that makes you feel tired and weak.

Anemia, or a lack of healthy red blood cells, means that your body’s tissues don’t receive enough oxygen or nutrients. It can make you tired and weak and frequently occurs because of internal bleeding. You might also notice that your skin is paler than usual.

Colon cancer sometimes causes internal bleeding if the tumors bleed. It results in a loss of iron in your body, triggering anemia. Your doctor can do a routine blood test to determine if anemia is the issue.

It could be a sign of colon cancer if you feel full soon after you start a meal. You might be full because you feel nauseous or if the tumor is large enough to affect the intestinal tract.

Getting full quickly might put pressure on your stomach, signaling to your brain that you’re already full. This sign is often overlooked but is common, and discussing it with a healthcare professional can save your life.

Colon cancer can cause unexplained or unintentional weight loss. You might notice an immediate and dramatic decrease in weight. Experts explain that losing 5% of your body weight without changing your diet, exercise, or sleep patterns fits this description.

Some people diagnosed with colon cancer don’t have any symptoms before they begin treatment. Not having symptoms is alarming because you won’t know that you should seek treatment.

Visiting your health professional early on can help save your life. Around 90% of colorectal cancer is treatable when in the early stages. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and it’s not worth waiting to see a doctor.

Since colon cancer doesn’t always have symptoms, consider getting a regular screening when you turn 50. Your doctor will likely recommend it, but ask if they don’t.