You might also have an urge to urinate but then find that there is no stool to pass. Additionally, you may be experiencing overall body symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and an unexplained weight loss. Some cancers can spread to other parts of your body, such as the liver or lymph nodes.
After undergoing treatment for colon cancer, your doctor may recommend follow-up visits to check on your progress. You may need a repeat colonoscopy one year after your surgery, as well as every three or five years after that. Depending on your symptoms and the stage of your colon cancer, you may need to undergo a colostomy, or an opening in your abdominal wall to pass stool. The colostomy may be temporary or permanent.
Other symptoms of colon cancer include excessive gas, abdominal distention, and nausea. These symptoms vary depending on where the cancer has spread. Some symptoms of colon cancer are listed below:
While no one knows for sure why colon cancer occurs, certain factors can increase the risk of developing it. For example, African-Americans are more prone to the disease than other races. People with a history of colorectal cancer or polyps increase their risk. Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis also increase their risk. Lastly, smoking and excessive intake of fat can increase your risk of colon cancer.
Treatment for colon cancer has improved dramatically in the past few decades, largely because of earlier diagnosis. New therapies for early detection and chemotherapy have made the disease more manageable and curable. In addition to the advances in cancer treatment, more people than ever before can now live longer after being diagnosed. The five-year survival rate for colon cancer patients has increased significantly from six to eight months in 1990 to 30 months today. It is also important to remember that the rate of survival for colon cancer has increased in younger adults.
Besides symptoms of colon cancer, there are many other possible causes of these symptoms. Many people who have colon cancer have no symptoms, which makes it even more important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis. In addition to bowel pain, you should also monitor your stool for any abnormality. A dark stool or blood in the water may indicate colon cancer. In addition, if you notice blood in your water, you should seek medical attention.
Your colon is a muscular tube around five feet long. It is made up of four segments, including the ascending, transverse, and descending. The first five feet is the colon. The descending portion is connected to the rectum, and the sigmoid ends with the anus. There are three known risk factors for colon cancer: physical inactivity, smoking, and obesity. You can reduce your risk of developing colon cancer by following a healthy diet.
