Colon cancer Warning Signs: What to Look Out For

Cancer that begins in the last part of the digestive tract-colon (large intestine).

Many people have no symptoms until the later stages of cancer

The symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Blood in stool
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Bloating

→ Common treatment options

→ How is this diagnosed?

– The exact cause of colon cancer is not known. The possible causes include:

• It occurs when healthy cells develop errors in their DNA
• When the cells’ genetic components are mutated, they divide abnormally and accumulate in the colon to form a tumor
• With time, the abnormal cells can invade the adjacent tissues and migrate to other organs (metastasis)
• Inherited gene mutations increase the risk of developing colon cancer
• Inherited colon cancer syndromes include familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). These syndromes are detected through genetic testing

– The risk factors include:

• AfricanAmericans are at high risk
• Chronic inflammatory diseases
• Highfat lowfiber diet
• Alcoholism
• Smoking
• Advanced age

→ Do you have a health question on your mind for colon cancer? Ask professionals from across the world

→ Interested to know more? Check out the full article here