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Colon Cancer Symptoms What To Look For

Posted by Admin on Tuesday, February 02, 2010 - 10:03 PM

Colon cancer symptoms are subtle, so it is hard to tell when you have colon cancer unless you are looking for it. Colon cancer can be very dangerous because the colon helps your body dispose of waste, and if it is not working right, the waste from your body will build up inside of you. But, colon cancer symptoms can easily go unnoticed.

The colon is a part of your digestive system, and it plays a huge part in getting the wastes removed from your body. The colon absorbs nutrients, minerals, and water from the waste, and then disposes of the rest in the form of stool.

Colon cancer develops when abnormal cells in the body begin to multiply. As the cells become greater and greater in number, they form a tumor. This is dangerous because a cancerous tumor will harm the normal cells around the tumor, and then it can begin to spread in to other parts of the body.

Due to the severity of cancer, it is something that should not be taken lightly. The earlier colon cancer is found, the better chance of being able to cure it. Since the symptoms are so mild, or even absent, it is very important to get periodic checks for colon cancer, and other types of cancer your doctor suggests. The chance of getting colon cancer increases at the age of forty, so many people should start getting tested then.

There are two different types of colon cancer symptoms; they are known as local and systemic. Local symptoms include more common symptoms such as: any changes in your bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, intermittent, red or black colored stool, pencil stools, or just the feeling that you cannot empty your bowels completely (discomfort, bloating, gas, cramps). If any of these symptoms are portrayed in you or your loved one for more than a week or two, you should call your doctor.

The other type of colon cancer symptoms are systemic symptoms. Systemic symptoms means that they are effecting more than one system in your body, or your entire body. Such symptoms include: unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, anemia, or jaundice. These symptoms are more extreme, and if you are experiencing any of them, or should call your doctor right away.

Colon cancer can become very serious if not treated, so it is very important if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, that you get tested right away. It is even more important, even if you are not having these symptoms, that you go to the doctor regularly, and you get the tests done to ensure your health and safety.

Cancer can spread very quickly, so stay on top of your regular doctor appointments, and you should be fine. When colon cancer is caught early, the tumor or abnormal cells can easily be removed before it spreads into another area of your body.