Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Colon Cancer
• Part 2 of 2: Catching Colon Cancer Early
• Tips

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon cancer, is the second largest cancer in the United States. Colon cancer affects both men and women and all racial and ethnic groups. More than 90% of cases were observed in people over 50 years old. Unfortunately, at the onset of the disease, colon cancer has very few or no symptoms.Read below how to detect colorectal cancer symptoms and your steps to capture when it is in its early stages.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Colon Cancer

1. 1 Pay attention to the blood in your stool. If you have rectal bleeding that is not related to hemorrhoids or tears, you should see your doctor and get tested. Blood in the stool is the most common symptom of colon cancer.
2. 2 Track the movement of your bowel movements. If you are experiencing persistent diarrhea or constipation, this is a signal to check the cause. Colon cancer patients often have pencil-shaped stools. Cases of feeling of incomplete bowel emptying have also been reported.
   • Pay attention to your bowel movements. If something seems out of the ordinary - you have cramps, you don't go to the bathroom with the same regularity, and your stools look different, see your doctor.
   • These symptoms do not necessarily indicate colon cancer. People with irritable bowels and other medical conditions have similar symptoms.
3. 3 Watch out for abdominal pain and bloating. These symptoms may accompany discomfort and changes in bowel movements. If you have bloating and abdominal pain that you think have no other cause, see your doctor.
   • In advanced stages of colon cancer, pelvic pain is possible.
   • Again, these symptoms are common to many other conditions, but if you have similar symptoms, this does not necessarily mean you have colon cancer. But it's still better to have a medical examination.
4. 4 Pay attention to changes in your appetite. People with colon cancer may notice loss of appetite or weight loss for no specific reason. If you find yourself reluctant to eat foods you have always eaten, and do not enjoy them, cancer may be one of the reasons. Pay attention to the change in weight, especially if it is steadily decreasing without any action on your part.
5. 5 Determine if you are unnecessarily tired. This is one of the common symptoms of cancer, and in particular colon cancer. If you feel sleepy or have other symptoms of colon cancer, see your doctor right away.

Part 2 of 2: Catching Colon Cancer Early

1. 1 Find out if you are at risk for colon cancer. Age is the leading risk factor, as the majority of people with colon cancer are in their fifties. But, nevertheless, there are several other factors that play an important role. For example:
   • If you are African American. African Americans are most at risk for colon cancer.
   • If you have had cancer or polyps in the past.
   • If you have a hereditary syndrome that can lead to colon cancer, such as familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome).
   • If you are sedentary. Exercise can reduce your risk of getting sick.
   • Eating fatty foods and not eating enough protein. Eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as cutting back on fat and meat, can reduce the risk of colon cancer.
   • Diabetes and being overweight can increase your risk.
   • Smoking and drinking alcohol increases the risk.
2. 2 Get regular checkups. More than 95% of colon cancer cases occur after polypular adenocarcinoma. This disease begins in the glands, which produce mucus for easy movement of food through the intestines to the colon and rectum. Carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and lymphomas also cause 5% of colon cancers. The best way to prevent the development of colon cancer is to get regular checkups after age 50 to see if there is any precancerous or cancerous growth. To determine if you have colon cancer, your doctor will take the following procedures:
   • Studies of fecal masses for occult blood (IFSK).
   • Sigmodioscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses a small instrument, a sigmoidoscope, to examine the colon and rectum for polyp growth.
   • Colonoscopy, in which a colonoscope is used to examine the entire intestine for precancerous or cancerous growths, and a biopsy is performed if found.
   • Virtual colonoscopy, also known as barium contrast enema and radiography (CBD). These are various types of x-rays that show the growth of polyps and various formations in the colon.

Tips

• There is scientific evidence that regular colon cancer screenings after age 50 reduce colon cancer deaths. Talk to your doctor about the most appropriate test method.
• Most types of colorectal cancers begin as polyps (abnormal tumors) inside the colon or rectum. Over time, these tumors can develop into cancer.