What are usually the first symptom of colon cancer?
First symptoms of Colon cancer: Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, and the present generation is more prone to it. As compared to previous decades, in the last decade, more cases of cancer have been reported. Among all the different types of cancer, colon cancer is found to be the most common one.
Colon cancer is cancer that begins in the large intestine and ends in the digestive tract. In general, it majorly affects older adults, but along with that, people can experience it at any age. Initially, it is small and non-cancerous, but with time, clumps of cells and polyps form inside the colon, and these clumps turn out to be colon cancers.
But understand that there are first symptoms of colon cancer that help individuals understand that they need to reach out to the oncologist for a diagnosis. In this article, we are discussing the first symptoms of colon cancer in detail so that if there is any particular symptom you are experiencing, you can reach out to the doctor and get it diagnosed.
Also, before we learn about the first symptoms of colon cancer, we would like to let you know about a medical oncologist in Jaipur, Dr. Tarachand Gupta. He is one of the best medical oncologists you can approach. He has expertise in treating different kinds of cancer, and if you are experiencing any particular symptoms, reach him out and discuss the condition.
After diagnosis, he will help you to know the actual cause of your condition and initiate the treatment as well. Let’s discuss the common warning signs that you may experience initially.
Common signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
In this section, we are discussing the common signs and symptoms related to colon cancer that help you know that this is the time to reach the oncologist for treatment. These are as follows:
1. Change in bowel habits:
The first symptoms of colon cancer are changes in bowel habits. It is not always easy to detect the disease at its early stages because the symptoms can be attributed to other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease. As such, it is important to identify changes in your bowel habits and consult a doctor if you suspect that you might have colon cancer.
2. Tiredness:
Tiredness can take place by several things, such as physical exhaustion, stress, or even pain. It should always be a sign of something more serious and not be ignored. But it is a common symptom of colon cancer. It is usually the first symptom that people experience, and it can be a cause for concern.
3. Unexplained weight loss:
Weight loss is a common issue that people face. It can be due to many factors, such as diet, exercise, and health conditions. However, weight loss can also be an early symptom of colon cancer.
But weight loss is not a common symptom of colon cancer. Still, it can be an early sign that something might be wrong with the health of the patient.
4. Constant abdominal pain:
Abdominal pain is a common symptom in the early stages of colon cancer. However, most people don’t know that it is a sign of this disease. The pain can be severe and may last for days or weeks. It is not only in the abdomen and may also extend to the back or even spread to other parts of the body, such as the chest. The pain may vary in intensity depending on where it occurs, how long it lasts, and how often it recurs.
5. Rectal bleeding:
Rectal bleeding is the first symptom of colon cancer. It can be caused by a tumor in the rectum, a polyp, or an ulcer. If you are experiencing this symptom and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, then it is important to get checked out for cancer as soon as possible.
6. Having difficulty passing stool:
When a person has trouble passing stool, it is the first symptom of colon cancer. It is important to make sure that you get checked out as soon as possible.
Some people may experience bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or bleeding when they have trouble passing stool. When these symptoms are accompanied by weight loss and fatigue, it is important to visit a doctor.
7. Anaemia:
Anemia is a condition where the blood has low levels of hemoglobin. It is a symptom of colon cancer. It can take place for many different reasons, and it can have various outcomes.
The first symptoms of anemia are fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and paleness in the face. The second set includes loss of appetite, rapid heart rate, fainting spells, and an increased pulse rate. The third set includes cold sweats or chills, pale skin that bruises easily, pale gums with no teeth present, and swollen tongue or lips.
8. Pencil stool:
A pencil stool is a symptom of colon cancer. It is a symptom of the disease that can be found in patients with colon cancer. It is characterized by the presence of blood in the stool and mucus.
The most common causes of these symptoms are hemorrhoids, and other causes include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and colon polyps.
9. Feeling the bowel doesn’t empty completely:
The first symptoms of colon cancer are usually feeling like the bowel doesn’t empty completely or being constipated for several days in a row. In addition, there might be blood in your stool or rectal bleeding without any other symptoms.
10. Diarrhea and constipation:
Diarrhea and constipation are often the first symptoms of colon cancer. These usually take place by changes in the bacteria in the gut. Constipation is when there is an infrequent or hard time passing stool, and diarrhea is when there are loose stools that are liquid or watery.
The following are the early signs and symptoms that help you to analyse that there is something wrong with the colon and you need to reach out to the doctor. We are not specifically saying that these are the symptoms of cancer only, but there are chances that sometimes due to infection as well, a person experiences these symptoms. It is right to reach the doctor in time in order to get the treatment and get rid of it.
(FAQ: first symptoms of colon cancer)
Q.1 – Does colon cancer hurt in the beginning?
Answer – Initially, a person experiences a dull belly ache. In the advanced stages, they have other problems, including cramps or pain that is similar to bloating. But with increasing time, the pain becomes constant and individuals rely on over-the-counter medication to treat the pain.
Q.2 – In which part do patients feel the pain due to colon cancer?
Answer – Most patients felt colon pain in the abdominal area. The exact site of pain depends on the part of the colon involved and the size of the tumor. The doctor will let you know the exact condition only after diagnosis.
Q.3 – Does pooping hurt with colon cancer?
Answer – Unfortunately, colon cancer takes place in the large intestine, which is responsible for affecting bowel habits. This leads to cramping, bloating, and abdominal pain, which, as a result, hurts during pooping as well.
Q.4 – What is the survival date after a call for cancer?
Answer – The survival rate of colon cancer depends on the stage at which a person is. If we combine all the stages of colon cancer, then the survival rate for a 5-year plan is 64%.
Q.5 – Is it possible to get rid of colon cancer fully?
Answer – Cancer of the colon is highly treatable and, after approaching a doctor, a patient will be able to get the treatment and can get rid of it. It is important that they approach the doctor promptly and start the treatment as they suggest. If they wait too long to begin treatment, their chances of recovering completely earless are slim.