This article explains a lot of facts about what colon cancer is and what is the main sign of colon cancer. Colon cancer is a definition that is used to describe colo-rectal (or bowel) cancer. The colon is part of the intestines. Those intestines consist of the small intestine (between the stomach and the appendix) and the large intestine (from the appendix to the anus). The large intestine is divided into the long colon and a short rectum, just before the anus. Two thirds of these cancers occur in the colon and one third in the rectum.

There is a range of different symptoms related to colon cancer. The main signs of colon cancer include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation, blood in the faeces. But fact is that all symptoms vary from person to person so you can never tell for sure, and there even cases without any signs at all. If you discover any sign of colon cancer, contact a doctor immediately. It could be bleeding from your rectum or blood mixed with your stool. Quite often though, people think that this is related to hemorrhoids, which prevents them from getting the correct diagnosis and treatment at the early stages when the chances are highest.

Here is a list of colon cancer signs: Pain in the lower abdominal area, Chronic colon problems with bowel movements, Diarrhea lasting more than several days, Chronic colon problems with bowel movements, obstruction of bowel movements, iron deficiency anemia which may indicate bleeding in the colon, blood in the stool, significant weight loss, abdominal mass or hardness in the abdomen, significant change in bowel habit, appendix pain as colon cancer signs.

A sign of colon cancer is an indication that something is not right in the body. But signs are defined as things that can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. But a single sign may not be enough to define the exact condition. There are cases where cancers start in places where it does not cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown quite large.

So in this chain of thoughts, it must be pointed out that having any of the colon cancer signs listed above doesn’t mean that you have cancer as there are many other conditions that can cause the exact same signs and symptoms. There could be a different cause for each of these signs, but the idea is to let the doctor know of this so that it can be investigated.

You can find out more about the Signs Of Colon Cancer as well as much more information on everything to do with colon health at http://www.ColonHealthTips.com
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The colon is part of the body’s digestive system and, like many other parts of the body, can become a place for the growth of cancer. A tumor in this region is known as colon cancer. And like some other cancers, the tumor can develop without necessarily giving the patient obvious signs or symptoms, certainly at the beginning of the disease. And again like some other cancers, the patient can have symptoms which are common to colon cancer without the cancer being there at all.

The colon plays two important roles. It helps the body absorb various essentials such as minerals, nutrients and water and it also assists in ridding the body of waste products. Most of the large intestine is part of the colon and the latter part of the large intestine is made up of the anal canal and the rectum.

So what symptoms could be a sign that the patient has developed colon cancer? Well here are some of the symptoms which deal specifically with your toilet habits and your colon.

• Constipation which means the patient has trouble having a bowel movement. There could be a blockage due to the growth of a tumor.
• Unusual bowel movements which could mean [a] more movements than normal or fewer movements or [b] producing abnormal stools which may be thinner than usual or [c] discolored stools which could be red or black.
• Diarrhea
• A combination of constipation followed by diarrhea.
• Abdominal pain which could include cramps, gas or bloating.

There are other symptoms for patients with colon cancer but these are more general and can apply to the body as a whole.

• Weight loss particularly when the patient is not trying to lose weight.
• A change of skin color which can be called jaundice seen also in the whites of your eyes.
• Being sick with vomiting and nausea and generally feeling unwell.
• Losing your appetite and not being interested in food.
• Being tired and even fatigued to the extent that you have little energy.
• Anemia which is a lack of iron in your blood.

As with other cancers, having some of the above symptoms does not mean you have colon cancer and many people will suffer from an upset stomach and anemia when they do not have colon cancer. But the advice is always the same. Do not delay in seeing your doctor if these symptoms exist. It is far better to be safe than sorry and the sooner any cancer which may exist is detected, the better are your chances of beating the disease.

There will always be some people who are afraid of or embarrassed about taking a colon cancer test. There is no need to think or feel that way. Patients should know that the test does not hurt, that millions of people have been tested for this disease and that the medical staff who are involved in the test have at some time been patients themselves. It’s a simple and safe procedure with potentially great benefits.

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Colon cancer along with breast and cervical cancer is considered to be one of the ‘big three’ cancers that is prevalent in North America. The colon is the ‘tube’ at the end of our digestive tract which stores waste prior to its expulsion. The termination of the colon is called the ‘rectum’ and the complete tubular structure is the large intestine. This whole system is considered together when we are discussing colon cancer.

Symptoms associated with colon cancer:

There are no concrete symptoms that can be used to diagnose colon cancer directly, but rather there are a cluster of conditions that may signify there is a problem. So if in doubt, it is best to visit your physician.

Common Symptoms:

1. If the cancer is in proximity to the anus: constipation, diarrhea, tenesmus (painful and constant need to empty the bowels), narrowing of stool, and presence of blood or mucus in the stools.

2. If the cancer is located further up: melena, or black stool is a commonly reported symptom.

3. Large colon cancer tumors may obstruct the passing of feces and show up as constipation, abdominal pain or distension. Vomiting can also occur.

4. Anemia, weight loss, and a loss of appetite are also signs.

Risk Factors:

1. Genetics: If cancer runs in the family, with a large number of close relatives afflicted or an unusually young age to develop cancer, this can point to high risk of colon cancer.

Other conditions are familial adenomatous polyposis which makes cancer in the colon more likely and should warrant an immediate visit to the physician.

2. Age: The chances of developing colon cancer jump suddenly once an individual hits the 60s, and thus regular check ups after this age become a must.

3. Smoking and drinking present high risk factors.

4. Consuming large amounts of meat with little fiber puts us at greater risk.

5. Sedentary individuals are also at higher risk.

6. Other conditions correlating to increased risk of colon cancer are lowered selenium levels, a history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.

Can a Colonic help me?

Tests available for colon cancer:

1. Barium enema x-ray: As the name suggests an enema is administered and the barium contained within is able to expose tumors or polyps as dark shadows on x-rays

2. Colonoscopy: It is the most commonly used test. A tube with video capabilities is inserted up the intestinal tract to detect polyps. If any polyps are found tests are conducted to see if they are colon cancer, depending on the results of subsequent biopsies. Biopsies require small tissue samples from the patient. If cancer is confirmed, the polyp has already been removed (due to colonoscopy), but tests need to be performed to search for metastasis if any. Typically the lungs, liver and the abdomen are especially important.

CEA is a product of some cancerous cells, whose elevated concentrations is used as an indication of spread of colon cancer.

Treatment options:

1. Surgery:

The colon cancer tumor, some of the surrounding tissue and neighboring lymph nodes are removed. After the removal, the cavity in the intestine is patched up. If the tumor was present in the rectum, the whole rectum has to be removed. In this case a colostomy will be performed, to facilitate the excreta to leave the body through an opening in the abdomen known as a stoma. Special post-operative services are provided to help patients get used to this alteration. Metastasis of the colon cancer to other organs determines the survival chances of the patient following surgery.

2. Chemotherapy:

Medications are administered after colon cancer surgery, usually about 5 weeks later, to kill off microscopic cancer cells that cannot be detected. However the medications also destroy a large amount of blood cells leading to weakness and a diminished immune system. Thus the course is given as multiple sessions with periods of rest to allow for recovery. Thus, the medications are allowed to permeate the whole body to destroy any of these remaining cancer cells. Chemotherapy has statistically improved survival rates and correspondingly decreased number of tumor recurrences.

3. Radiation therapy:

It may be given before or after surgery, and its use has been particularized to the cancer of the rectum. Colon cancer can be deadly and at best is extremely painful and discomforting. By practicing a healthy diet and having regular check-ups, we can greatly reduce our chances of the disease.

Lysa Nguyen is a health enthusiast and seeking to find the real answers concerning the latest health, nutrition, and diet fads. She has been writing for many years and also enjoys travel and fitness. She finds out the facts on nutrition from Gethealthyhq.com, but her views may not always match. To find out, 20 questions about body cleanses you are curious about or should be asking, please go to Body Cleanses.
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Colon cancer (also known as bowel cancer or colorectal cancer) is any cancer that affects the last section of the digestive tract (usually the colon or rectum). It is responsible for over 16,000 deaths in the UK each year and is therefore one of the most dangerous types of cancer around. There are a number of symptoms which could indicate that you have bowel cancer. In this article I will be discussing these signs and symptoms and hopefully give you the information to identify this disease sooner rather than later.

Unlike other conditions where the symptoms are often clear and easy to identify, colon cancer symptoms are usually vague and more difficult to spot. As the cancer becomes more advanced and the tumour grows, the symptoms become more noticeable. However, by this time it is often more difficult to treat the cancer effectively. That is why it is essential for you to be on the lookout for signs of bowel cancer at all times. By doing this you can significantly improve your chances of identifying colorectal cancer early and getting it treated. There are many symptoms associated with this type of cancer but below I have outlined four of the most common.

1) BLOOD IN THE STOOLS OR RECTAL BLEEDING:- This is probably the number one symptom of colon cancer. With this type of cancer the tumour develops in the final section of the digestive tract. Therefore, if the tumour bleeds some of this blood usually comes out of the rectum or in your stools. The bleeding is not usually significant but if you notice any at all then you should inform your doctor immediately.

2) PAIN IN THE STOMACH:- If the tumour gets large enough it can cause a blockage in your colon. This blockage can prevent solids, fluids or gases passing through your bowel which then leads to cramps and pains. In the worst cases, the tumour can grow so large that it breaks through your bowel wall which again causes major stomach pains. Although stomach pains are associated with multiple conditions, any prolonged pains could be indicative of colon cancer. If you experience these pains for an extended period go and see your doctor right away.

3) DIFFERENT BOWEL MOVEMENTS:- If the tumour becomes large it can also have an impact on your bowel movements. The blockage created by a large tumour can prevent stools from passing through the colon leading to constipation (difficulty passing stools). It can also cause a build up of fluid behind the tumour which eventually leaks through leading to diarrhea (difficulty controlling your bowel movements because your stools have become watery). If you notice any unusual bowel movements, particularly for long periods, this could be a sign of colorectal cancer and you should consult your doctor.

4) UNEXPECTED WEIGHT LOSS:- Sometimes tumours release chemicals which increase your metabolism and cause you to burn more calories than usual. Therefore, if you experience any unexpected or unexplained weight loss you should consult your doctor and get yourself tested for bowel cancer. Even if the weight loss is not linked to cancer it is still advisable to see your doctor because any weight loss that you cannot account for is likely to have some underlying cause.

As you can see from this article the symptoms of colon cancer are not always obvious and easy to identify. However, I hope this article has shown you some of the things you should be looking out for. Bowel cancer is much more treatable if it is caught in the early stages so if you notice any of the above symptoms do not take any chances. Go see your doctor right away and get a professional verdict.

Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Colon cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.

Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the various colon cancer symptoms and get a free Fitness Tip every day for a full year by visiting his fitness websites.
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If you start noticing a change in your bowel habits, believe it or not you want it to be IBS if it’s going to be an ongoing issue. Colon Cancer and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) both have closely related symptoms and can leave you in bad shape when it comes to how you feel. The largest difference between the two is obviously that the Cancer will kill you if it’s not taken care of.

Most Doctors will agree that IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Basically what this means is that after every other thing has been tested and you are showing to have an otherwise healthy colon, this is the last thing you will be diagnosed with.

Colon Cancer affects over 100,000 new people each year and has roughly a 33% mortality rate each year as well. The key being that you want to find the disease before it has a chance to spread.

IBS is a more common disease that affects your bowel habits and can mimic the same symptoms as the cancer. Loose stools (diarrhea), constipation, pencil thin stools, frequent defecation.

Because these are so similar, many Doctors will run extensive tests to make sure there is no tumors in your large intestine which is mainly done through what is known as a colonoscopy. This is where a long snake like hose is inserted through the rectum and travels through the large intestine in search for abnormalities and other differences in structure.

These are easy procedures to have done as you are normally sedated. The key is to not be scared to talk with your Doctor if you notice any of the symptoms above.

Want to know the other symptoms of Colon Cancer? Visit http://online-cancer-guide.info and find out this information to ensure you don’t have this horrible disease!
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