Colon Cancer Early Symptoms

Spotting colon cancer early symptoms is important for effective treatment of the disease.

Like most cancers, the sooner you get it treated, the greater your chances of a complete recovery.

Unfortunately, the location of the disease may cause you to not spot the symptoms of colon cancer until it has already started to spread.

You're more likely to see colon cancer early symptoms if the tumor is located near the anus.

When the tumor is at the upper end of the large bowel the symptoms of colon cancer may be harder to spot.

Also, the symptoms of cancer located at the start of the upper large bowel may be different from those located further down the tract.

Hemorrhoids Color and Mucus

You may often see early symptoms in stools, but they can be misleading as well. Bright red colored stools may be a symptom of colon cancer in the lower tract of the large bowel, but they may also be caused by hemorrhoids.

The presence of mucus on the stools may also indicate the presence of cancer near the anus.

Melena Black Tar Stools

Black tar like stools, called melena, are normally considered a symptom of bleeding in upper areas of the digestive system, such as bleeding from stomach ulcers. But colon cancers located at the start of the large bowel may also cause these melena stools.

Constipation and Diarrhea

As the cancer stage progresses, it may cause constrictions of your bowel movements. Constipation and diarrhea may be considered colon cancer early symptoms if there is no other obvious cause.

Pain and Vomiting

When cancer restricts the bowel it may cause pain in the abdomen and lead to extreme constipation and vomiting. A constricted bowel may also cause a sensation of incomplete defecation.

Variations in Frequency of Bowel Movements

Unusually thin stools may also be a symptom of colon cancer. However before you see these advanced symptoms there may have been more subtle indications such as variations in the frequency of bowel movements.

Large tumors may be felt as a pain in the abdomen, especially when touched. Doctors may be able to detect the presence of large tumors by feeling the area.

As the tumor grows it may start to invade nearby organs before the onset of metastasis (spreading to the rest of body).

Blood Air and Vaginal Discharge

Blood or air in urine could be a sign the cancer has spread to the bladder. Vaginal discharge may be caused by cancer spreading to the female reproductive tract.

Colon cancer may cause chronic bleeding into the bowel that may not be noticed in the stools. Large blood losses can cause anemia due to an iron deficiency. It can also cause fatigue, palpitations, and a pale skin color.

Weight Loss and Decreases in Appetite

Colon cancer may cause weight loss and a decreased appetite.

Colon cancer early symptoms may not be very noticeable, and can easily be passed off as something less serious. However the symptoms of colon cancer don't necessarily appear early in its development, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

It would be a good idea to get a check up if there is any hint of the symptoms listed above. Even if the problem turns out negative for cancer, at least the doctor can point you to the real cause!

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