You may experience intermittent diarrhea or constipation. You may also experience bloating or gas. These symptoms are caused by dietary triggers, bowel obstruction, or both. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical treatment. In some cases, colon cancer can spread to your liver or lungs. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure to remove the cancer.
If you notice a change in the frequency of your stools, you may have colon cancer. This change could last for several days or even weeks. This change in bowel habits is an indication of colon cancer. Symptoms of colon cancer can vary from person to person. If you experience chronic constipation, it’s best to see a physician as soon as possible. You should also check for other symptoms, including bloody stools or a change in the way you urinate.
In some cases, colon cancer can be cured if detected early. If you are over 45, get regular screenings to be on the safe side. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, wheat bran, and cutting down on processed meat are all good habits to maintain. While you can’t completely avoid colon cancer, you can minimize your risk by taking regular physical activity, reducing your alcohol intake, and eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
If you have symptoms of colon cancer, a doctor will perform further tests to determine its location and extent. MRI, CT scan, and PET/CT scans are all important to determine whether colon cancer has spread to other areas of your body. Your doctor may recommend surgery if you are diagnosed with this condition. Once the surgery is completed, your next steps will depend on the results. Your doctor may suggest other conditions, or recommend treatment depending on the results.
As colon cancer is not immediately noticeable, most people do not have any symptoms. The symptoms that can occur include an increased risk of bleeding, nausea, or abdominal pain. In severe cases, you may also experience blood in your stool, an increase in abdominal pain, and even diarrhea. In some cases, colon cancer does not cause any symptoms, so you should see a physician for a complete evaluation. You can also choose to undergo a colon cancer screening if you have a family history of the disease.
Following treatment for colon cancer, your doctor will recommend follow-up care. Treatment recommendations vary depending on the stage of the cancer. For example, chemotherapy is usually used alongside surgery. In addition, radiation is also used to treat metastatic colon cancer, which has spread to other areas of the body and is resistant to other treatments. While colon cancer is highly treatable if caught early, the survival rate depends on your stage of disease. If you have stage II colon cancer, your doctor may recommend radiation treatment to detect any adenomas.
Inheritance is a strong risk factor for colon cancer. Genetic mutations in certain genes are responsible for an increased risk of colon cancer. You may have a genetic condition called Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis. Having a family history of colon cancer also increases your risk of developing it. Therefore, it is important to get a colon cancer screening when you are at risk for the disease. There are several ways to detect colon cancer.
