Colon cancer originates in the colon. Because the cancer often occurs in both the colon and rectum, many people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer; however, cancer that originates in the rectum is distinct from colon cancer and vice versa.
Most colon cancers are slow-growing cancers that begin as adenomas, or polyps within the lining of the colon. Colon cancer may have no symptoms until the cancer is relatively advanced, so it is best to have regular screenings, especially if you are over 50 and/or have a high risk of developing colon cancer.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Many people will not show any symptoms of colon cancer, and the symptoms tend to vary from person to person. Some possible symptoms of colon cancer include a change in bowel habits (diarrhea that persists for a week or longer or constipation that persists for longer than two weeks), blood in the rectum or stool, ongoing stomach pains (gas, cramps or pain), stomach pains before or during a bowel movement, a persistent feeling that you can't fully empty your bowels and unexplained weakness, tiredness or weight loss.
These symptoms may be signs of colon cancer or other serious illnesses. Check with a doctor for a diagnosis if you are experiencing such symptoms.
Blood in Stool
Bright red blood in your stool is usually indicative of hemorrhoids or minor anal tears, not cancer. Changes in diet, including consumption of beets or high doses of iron, can make stool appear red although there is no blood. Diarrhea medication can also cause stool to appear darker or a different color than usual.
Risk Factors
Although anyone experiencing the above symptoms should consult a physician, those who are at risk for colon cancer should be especially aware of the potential systems. According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of the people diagnosed with colon cancer are over age 50. A family history of cancer and/or a personal history of polyps also mean a person is at higher risk for colon cancer.
Diagnosis
Doctors can diagnose colon cancer a number of different ways. They may discover it during a routine digital rectal exam, in which the doctor feels inside the rectum with a gloved finger to see if he feels anything abnormal. A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) can detect trace blood in the stool. If blood if detected, additional tests are required to determine whether the bleeding is caused by cancer or a benign condition. A sigmoidoscopy is a test in which a physician uses a sigmoidoscope (a lighted tube) to look at the lower part of the colon to check for polyps. If polyps are discovered, a polypectomy is performed to remove them. A colonoscopy refers to the use of a colonoscope (lighted tube) to examine the entire colon to look for polyps. Finally, a double contrast barium enema involves taking x-rays of the colon after an enema is given. The enema, along with air that is pumped into the rectum, show in x-rays, along with any possible polyps.
Treatment
Colorectal cancer may be treated surgically and/or with chemotherapy depending on how large the cancer is and whether it has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body.
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