{"id":1557,"date":"2018-04-27T07:06:38","date_gmt":"2018-04-27T07:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=1557"},"modified":"2021-10-05T03:04:37","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T03:04:37","slug":"9-silent-signs-of-colon-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/9-silent-signs-of-colon-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Silent Signs of Colon Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The colon also referred to as the large intestine or large bowel, is one of the organs in the digestive system. It is 6 feet long and is divided up into four different sections:<\/p>\n

– Ascending colon
\n– Transverse colon
\n– Descending colon
\n– Sigmoid colon<\/p>\n

The colon plays an important part in the final stages of digestion. It removes any remaining food after the nutrients have been removed from it during the earlier stages of digestion. This process is known as peristalsis. Salts and liquids are removed from the leftover food waste as it makes its way through the colon. That waste is then eliminated as a bowel movement.<\/p>\n

Like any other organ in the body, the colon can be affected by cancer. Colon cancer is very prevalent and understanding the signs and symptoms is vital, because if left untreated, it will progress, possibly spread, and potentially cause death.<\/p>\n

1. Constipation<\/h3>\n

Constipation<\/a> is a relatively normal condition. It is described as difficulty emptying the bowels, and that difficulty is usually accompanied by hardened stools. Additionally, stools become less frequent \u2013 a person can go several days or more without having a bowel movement.<\/p>\n

In most cases, though constipation is uncomfortable, it isn\u2019t a cause for concern. It can be a side effect of not drinking enough water, not eating enough fiber, stress, or taking certain medications or supplements. However, constipation can also be a sign of colon cancer. Tumors within the bowels can prevent colon emptying waste.<\/p>\n

As a result, that waste gets trapped in the lower portion of the digestive tract, hardens, and can become difficult to pass. Many patients who are diagnosed with colon cancer report that they have experienced constipation. If you\u2019re having difficulty passing bowels, speak to your doctor to find out the cause. <\/p>\n

\"\"2. Diarrhea<\/h3>\n

Constipation isn\u2019t the only way that colon cancer<\/a> can affect your bowels; this condition can also lead to diarrhea. Diarrhea is described as a having a frequent urge to empty the bowels, and when the bowels are passed, the stool is usually loose and watery. Abdominal cramping can also be associated with diarrhea. It is certainly an embarrassing situation, but one that everyone experiences from time to time. Often, diarrhea isn\u2019t a cause for concern.<\/p>\n

It can be a side effect of a virus, eating certain types of food, or stress; however, if you have been having frequent episodes of diarrhea, it could be that colon cancer is to blame. The colon removes salt and water from leftover food in the body. If the organ is sick with cancer, it may not properly dispose of the salt and water, which can result in frequent bouts of diarrhea.<\/p>\n

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\"\"3. Dark-colored stools<\/h3>\n

Another way that colon cancer can affect the bowels<\/a> is by changing their color. While the color of stool can vary and is largely dependent on the types of food that you eat, generally, it is a light to medium brown. If it appears darker than usual or black, it could be a cause for concern. The tumors growing within a colon that has cancer can become irritated and bleed.<\/p>\n

The blood makes its way through the large intestine and mixes with stool, turning it a very dark brown or black. Though not all dark or black colored stool is a cause for concern, as there are several foods and medications that can alter the color of otherwise healthy stool, if you find that your bowel movements have been dark or black for a prolonged period of time (a few days), you should seek medical treatment. <\/p>\n

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4. Narrow stools<\/h3>\n

Yet another way that colon cancer can affect the appearance of your stools is by altering their shape. Though the shape and size of stool can certainly vary, it is usually relatively wide. However, sometimes, the stool can be very narrow and almost pencil-like. In most cases, narrowed stools aren\u2019t anything to be alarmed about; it could be the result of something you ate or simply the way waste moved through the lower portion of the digestive tract.<\/a><\/p>\n

However, if several bowel movements have produced pencil-like stools, it could be a sign of colon cancer. If the colon becomes obstructed by tumors, it can alter the shape of the stool, making it appear very narrow. If the stool is also very dark or black in color, you should seek immediate medical treatment. There is a chance that these changes to your stool are the result of colon cancer. <\/p>\n

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5. Abdominal cramping<\/h3>\n

Many patients who are diagnosed with colon cancer have stated that they experienced abdominal pain. The pain can come on suddenly and feel sharp and stabbing. It can be particularly painful when a bowel movement is about to pass. The large intestine<\/a> is located in the lower portion of the abdomen. Waste is passed through the different sections of the organ through a process known as peristalsis. This action creates movement which can lead to cramping.<\/p>\n

If the colon is affected by cancer, it won\u2019t function properly and can cause intense pain as waste passes through it. Though the pain in the abdomen can be associated with several different conditions, such as diarrhea and constipation that is not associated with colon cancer, it can certainly be a sign of this condition. If you have intense abdominal pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as you can.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Fatigue and weakness<\/h3>\n

It is not uncommon for people who are suffering from any type of cancer to feel fatigued and weak, including colon cancer. The reason why fatigue and weakness is such a common symptom of cancer is that the disease compromises your immune system<\/a>. In other words, your immune system goes into overdrive in an effort to try to fight off the disease. This takes a lot of energy, leaving very little energy for anything else.<\/p>\n

As a result, you may feel extremely tired and worn down. Even the simplest tasks can seem difficult to complete or can make you feel as if you are winded. Fatigue and weakness are symptoms that are associated with many illnesses that aren\u2019t usually severe, such as the common cold and the flu; however, these symptoms can also be an indication of colon cancer, so it is wise to get checked.<\/p>\n

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7. Night sweats<\/h3>\n

If you are frequently waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, it is very likely that you have some type of illness. Night sweats can be a symptom of several conditions, such as the flue; however, it can also be a sign of colon cancer. The cause of night sweats is due to the fact that your immune system is working in overdrive as it is trying to fight off cancer.<\/p>\n

Since the immune system is working so hard, the body\u2019s response may be sweating<\/a>. Additionally, night sweats are often accompanied by a fever. A fever can accompany colon cancer, as your body elevates its temperature in an attempt to fight off the illness. In order to cool itself down, the body will naturally start sweating. Though night sweats aren\u2019t necessarily a sign of colon cancer, they certainly could be an indication. <\/p>\n

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8. Sudden and unexplained weight loss<\/h3>\n

If you are losing weight suddenly and unexpectedly, don\u2019t think that you are simply lucky. Weight loss that is unexplained and occurs suddenly is often a sign of many types of cancer, and colon cancer is certainly not an exception. Weight loss can occur for a few reasons. Many patients with this illness suffer from a loss of appetite<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This could be due to the fact that their digestive systems aren\u2019t working properly, which could make eating an unpleasant experience, as it could lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea. The weight loss could also be a result of a blockage in the colon that is caused by a tumor. Whatever the reason, if you are losing weight without trying and the pounds keep falling off, there is a good chance that you could be suffering from colon cancer. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.<\/p>\n

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9. The development of iron-deficiency anemia<\/h3>\n

The body needs iron in order to create red blood cells. That\u2019s because iron helps to produce hemoglobin<\/a>, a protein that is found in red blood cells. If your iron levels are low, you could develop a condition known as iron-deficiency anemia. This condition can occur with several types of cancer, such as bone cancer, but the cause of iron-deficiency anemia differs with different types of cancer. With colon cancer, iron deficiency is usually the result of internal bleeding.<\/p>\n

The tumor(s) produce chemicals that stimulate the formation of blood vessels, and as the tumor(s) grow, those blood vessels burst. This can lead to a loss of red blood cells, which can lead to iron deficiency. Even though there may be plenty of iron in the blood, iron molecules can get trapped in the immune cells, which can lead to the development of iron-deficiency anemia. <\/p>\n\r\n

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