If you have not yet had or are not planning to have your first colonoscopy, it is too late. You need to make this a priority as soon as possible. Colon cancer, or colon cancer, is the third most common type of cancer among people, according to the American Cancer Society. It is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and most occur in people over 50 years of age.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been slowly decreasing in recent years. This alone will motivate you to schedule a colonoscopy. Also watch out for these common colon cancer symptoms and get regular screenings.
Change your bowel habits
One of the first symptoms of colon cancer is often a change in bowel habits. If you experience unusual diarrhea, constipation, or loose stools that last more than a few days, you should contact your doctor. Bowel changes may be normal, but if they persist, they may be a sign of a more serious problem and should be ruled out.
The stool is dark brown or black.
If your stool is darker than usual, it usually indicates bleeding from the rectum or colon. Sometimes they become bright red and clearly visible, sometimes the stool becomes darker. This is the main warning sign of colon cancer. Of course, there are other causes of blood in your stool, such as hemorrhoids, but if you notice dark or red blood in your stool, see your doctor immediately.
older people with colon cancer symptoms and abdominal pain
Abdominal pain
We all experience unpleasant bloating and gas from time to time. However, if you experience chronic pain such as bloating, cramping, gas, or severe abdominal pain, it could be a sign of colon cancer. This symptom usually appears in the later stages of cancer and should not be ignored.
Who doesn’t want to lose weight, right? If we could magically lose weight, we’d all be happy. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true, and weight loss for no apparent reason is often a sign that something is wrong. Colon cancer and other cancers can cause unexplained weight loss, so you should consult your doctor.
Fatigue and weakness
Don’t confuse tiredness with tiredness. If you’re tired, a good night’s sleep will help solve the problem, but fatigue is a different matter. Yes, if you are tired, you may feel tired, but it is a debilitating and mild fatigue. Fatigue associated with cancer sap your energy and make you feel heavy and weak. Just getting up and doing small tasks feels like a hindrance. If you are experiencing fatigue, it is recommended to talk to your doctor to rule out possible causes related to colon cancer or another serious illness. Fatigue is not normal.
Risk factors for colon cancer should be avoided
Early detection of these symptoms is the best way to detect and successfully treat colon cancer. If detected early, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%. To control these colon cancer symptoms, it is important to consider potential risk factors.
Of course, there are risk factors you can’t control, like your age and family history, but there are some things you can control, like::
Overweight
Smoking
Drinks a lot
Diabetes
Passive lifestyle
Eat a diet rich in processed meats
The risk of colon cancer increases with age, so it’s important to live a healthy lifestyle and address risk factors that are within your control.
Schedule your colon screening today!
If you have any of the colon cancer symptoms listed above, contact your doctor immediately. Regular colon exams are important when colon cancer can be detected and treated early.
Many of these symptoms can be ignored and blamed on something else or something else, but they should never be ignored. There is no need to wait to see a doctor, as symptoms become more common as the disease progresses.
Talk to your doctor about how often you should get checked. He or she will make recommendations regarding your risk factors and medical history.