Colon Cancer Early Symptoms
Because of the wonderful research, reliable tests and education to be tested more often, colon cancer is now one of the least deadly of all the cancers. If you can catch colon cancer early symptoms, then this disease can be wiped out. To catch the disease early enough, we, as a public, need to have a test called a colonoscopy which checks our colon for polyps which later may develop into colon cancer. If you are over the age of 50, this is particularly important, there may not be any signs or symptoms.
Some of colon cancer early symptoms are bloody stools, diarrhoea, pain in the abdomen or rectal area, and change in bowel habits. There may be some who experience all of these symptoms, and others won’t have any at all.
A typical medical exam will not usually show if there are any abnormalities present. Really the only way to check for colon cancer is with a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy will be done by a specialist who will attach a small camera to a thin flexible tube. This will allow the examiner a close look at the entire colon and be able to detect abnormalities and polyps. Don’t worry about this being painful because you will be under anaesthesia throughout the entire procedure, the worst part is getting ready for the exam.
Before a colonoscopy can be done, your colon will need to be totally clean, so you will be given some instructions on what to do the day and evening before. There will be laxatives and a restricted diet, nothing drastic.
If you have a history of colon cancer in your family, you will want to be checked much earlier and more often that typically recommended. Your odds of contracting colon cancer are much greater. If you have Crohn’s disease, then you are at an even greater risk. There are some other things you should be aware of to prevent colon cancer early symptoms and that is to eat a healthy diet of low fat and high fiber, as well as reduce your intake of red meats.
If you are showing colon cancer early symptoms, the colonoscopy may show polyps which can be removed during the colonoscopy. They will then be tested for cancer cells. If cancer is found, and they are not able to remove it, there are other options to treat it. There are chemotherapy and radiation treatments that have both been very successful in treating this type of cancer.
