One in 20 people will develop colon cancer during their lifetime. It is important to be aware of the colon cancer symptoms so that you can catch it early and increase your chances of survival. The most common symptom of colon cancer is bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool. Other symptoms include a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain, cramping, and fatigue. it is advised to see a doctor so that they can rule out other potential causes and determine if you need to be tested for colon cancer.
How is it diagnosed?
Colon cancer is most often diagnosed using a colonoscopy. The doctor performing the procedure can then look for any abnormalities, such as cancerous growths. A biopsy may also be performed during a colonoscopy, which involves taking a small tissue sample from the colon to be examined under a microscope.
Other diagnostic tests for colon cancer include sigmoidoscopy, CT scan, MRI, and blood tests. In some cases, a barium enema may also be performed. It is an X-ray procedure in which contrast dye is inserted into the rectum and intestines to visualize them on the X-ray better.
What are the risk factors?
Several risk factors can contribute to developing colon cancer. These include:
- Family history. If you have a family member who has had colon cancer, you are at an increased risk of developing the disease yourself.
- Age. The older you are, the greater your risk of developing colon cancer.
- Gender. Men are slightly more likely to develop colon cancer than women.
- African-American descent. People of African-American descent are more likely to develop colon cancer than other groups.
- Smoking. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of developing colon cancer.
If you have any of these risk factors, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of colon cancer so that you can catch the disease in its early stages and receive treatment as soon as possible.
How can you prevent it?
If you’re experiencing any of the colon cancer symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. But what can you do to prevent the disease in the first place?
You can do a few things to lower your risk of colon cancer. First, make sure to get plenty of exercises. And if you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.You can also take steps to prevent colon cancer by getting screened for the disease.