Colon cancer symptoms
Posted by Medical Fan - 23/12/08 at 05:12 amColon Cancer Symptoms
Colon Cancer, also known as colorectal cancer is the condition where cancerous cells grow in the digestive system, mostly in the large intestine and rectal region. It is one of the most diagnosed type of cancer in Western countries and one of the two leading causes of deaths in cancer.
Cancers in the digestive system are adenocarcinomas, which starts from the lining of the colon and the rectal region. Colorectal cancer starts as a swelling on the surface of the intestinal lining. As the cancer cells increase, it begins to infect the walls of the intestine. Some of the lymph nodes are also infected. As the blood from the intestine walls are distributed, colorectal cancer spreads to the liver quickly after scattering to the lymph nodes.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer are various and uncertain. It includes exhaustion, weakness, shortness of breath and change in bowel habits. Bleeding or blood in your stool is also another symptom of colon cancer.
Families with histories of colon cancer are at risk. People diagnosed with Crohn’s disease are also susceptible to colon cancer. A family who has a history of polyps is also at risk.
Individuals whose diet consists of high fat and low-fiber are highest at risk.
Colon cancer may already be present in the digestive system before the symptoms appear. It may take years before they arise. The occurrence of colon cancer starts to rise by the age of 40 and reaches its height at ages 60 to 70. It is advisable that annual colon screening tests be conducted after the age of 40.