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Colon Cancer

symptoms of colon cancer, colon cancer, colon cancer symptoms

What is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the digestive system near the end of the body.

It often begins as small growths called polyps. These are not cancer at first, but they can turn into cancer over time. Most polyps do not cause symptoms, so they are often found during routine screenings.

What Are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?

Symptoms can depend on how big the cancer is and where it is located. Common signs include:

  • Changes in bowel habits (like diarrhea or constipation)
  • Changes in how your stool looks
  • Blood in your stool
  • Stomach pain or discomfort

How Is Colon Cancer Treated?

Treatment depends on how large the cancer is, where it is, and if it has spread. Common treatments include:

  • Surgery to remove the cancer
  • Chemotherapy (medicine that kills cancer cells)
  • Radiation therapy (uses strong energy to destroy cancer cells)

Risk Factors

Your chances of getting colon cancer increase as you get older. Staying active and keeping a healthy weight can help lower your risk.

Other risk factors include:

  • Having bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Having a personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps
  • Having certain inherited conditions like FAP or Lynch syndrome

Lifestyle Risks

Some lifestyle habits can increase your risk: :

  • Not getting enough physical activity
  • Eating few fruits and vegetables
  • Eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet or a lot of processed meats
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking or using tobacco

Tests for Colon Cancer

There are two main types of tests:

  1. Stool Tests
    • These check your poop for signs of cancer
    • They are easy and not invasive
    • They need to be done more often
  2. Visual Exams
    • These look inside the colon and rectum for problems
    • A doctor may use a thin tube with a camera (called a scope)
    • Or use imaging tests like X-rays

When Should You Get Screened?

Health experts recommend:

  • Adults ages 45 to 75 should get screened regularly
  • If you are over 75, talk to your doctor about whether you still need screening
  • If you have a higher risk, ask your doctor when to start testing and how often