Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Colon is an important part of the intestine performing the function of absorption of water and nutrients from the digested food. In colon cancer, patient shows symptoms in late stage of development of colon cancer.
If person is affected by colon cancer then it mainly affects the bowel habits of the body. The symptoms of colon cancer are described below,
Change in bowel habit
- If you have bowel movements different from the normal ones, you need to visit a doctor
- Frequent diarrhea or constipation means your body functions are not going on smoothly
- There is no need to keep record of your bowel movements but if you feel change in bowel habit for a week or more then consult with your doctor immediately
- Change in bowel habit may be not so serious to very serious
Constipation
- When a Person gets trouble in formation as well as passing of stool, it is called as constipation. Frequency of bowel movement decreases
- At the time of formation of stool, colon absorbs water from the stool then it transfer to the rectum and finally from anus it passes outside
- If any problem in the colon occurs then, if affects the absorption of water from stool
- Colon cancer leads to formation of tumor and disturbs the function of water regulation leading to constipation
Diarrhea
- When colon fails to absorb water from the stool then it leads to diarrhea
- If you are suffering from diarrhea, it indicates that there is some problem in the functioning of the colon
Blood in stool
- Most of the time we ignore the blood in the stool but this may be the indication of some serious problem immediately you should visit to the doctor
- Blood may be red, dark red or somewhat black coloured
- Blood in the stool indicates bleeding in the intestine
- If the colour of blood is fresh red then it indicates that bleeding takes place at colon part. If blood is dark red then it shows that bleeding is occurring at higher part of colon.
- Bleeding in the colon indicates colon cancer
Thin stool
- Person feels like he/she can not empty his/her bowel entirely
- In colon cancer, tumor is present in the lumen of colon. It makes lumen narrower
- When stool comes in the colon part more water is absorbed resulting in formation of solid stool
- Solid stool when passed from the colon becomes thinner
Abdominal pain
- Person suffering from colon cancer has pain in the abdomen
- frequent formation of gas
- Pain and cramps in abdomen
Effect on body
- Colon cancer patient loses body weight
- He/she does not like to eat anything
- The total count of the WBC decreases leading to anemia
- Vomiting and nausea
- Person suffers from jaundice
