Receiving Helpdesk

how i knew i had colon cancer

by Geo Nikolaus PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Pappou lists early signs of colorectal cancer as being:

  • Constipation
  • Changes in bowel habits
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in stool
  • A narrowing or change in girth of the stool
  • A feeling of incomplete evacuation
  • Cramping pains
  • Fatigue
  • Unexplained weight loss

Full Answer

How did you know you had colon cancer?

The blood from these damaged vessels may go into the colon and be seen when you use the toilet. It could be for sure a sign of colon cancer if you find blood mixed with your stool. The color of blood may be bright red, dark or mixed with mucous. A sample of this stool should be sent for analysis in a pathology laboratory.

How many people in their mid 30s get colon cancer?

There are no statistics that precisely define how many people in their 30s each year are diagnosed with colon cancer. We were unable to load Disqus. If you are a moderator please see our troubleshooting guide.

What are some of the early warning signs of colon problems?

Warning signs of colon cancer Fatigue. It's definitely normal to be tired in today's world. ... Unexplained weight loss. If you're not on a diet and haven't changed how you eat but are still losing weight, you may have colon issues and you should see a ... Stool changes. ...

What is the survival rate for Stage 3 colorectal cancer?

Treatment, which typically involves surgery and chemotherapy, depends on the stage (progression) and grade (severity) of the tumor, among other factors. Even though the prognosis of stage 3 colon cancer is encouraging, with a five-year relative survival rate of 72%, being diagnosed with it can be a lot to digest.

What was your first colon cancer symptoms?

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include: A persistent change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool. Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain.

How did you notice you have colon cancer?

Colorectal cancer symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating and fatigue are common and non-specific enough that they could be caused by any number of conditions. But if you experience one or more of the following “alarm symptoms,” consider it a red flag and contact your doctor immediately.

How long can you have colon cancer before noticing?

Colon cancer, or cancer that begins in the lower part of the digestive tract, usually forms from a collection of benign (noncancerous) cells called an adenomatous polyp. Most of these polyps will not become malignant (cancerous), but some can slowly turn into cancer over the course of about 10-15 years.

Where is colon cancer pain usually felt?

Many cases of colon cancer have no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the following may indicate colon cancer: Abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.

Can you feel fine and have colon cancer?

Myth: I don't need a colonoscopy because I'm not having any symptoms. Fact: Many people are diagnosed with colon cancer when they are feeling just fine. People don't think they can have colon cancer if they feel OK, but they most certainly can.

Does Stage 1 colon cancer have symptoms?

During stage 1 of colon cancer, no obvious signs or symptoms may have developed. As symptoms develop, they may vary depending on the tumor's size and location in the large intestine. Early symptoms may affect only the colon and result in changes in bowel habits.

Can colon cancer symptoms come and go?

In the early stages of colorectal cancer, most people won't have any symptoms. They usually show up later on, after the disease has grown and spread inside the body. The key is that they are persistent and stick around for more than a few days.

Can you have stage 4 colon cancer with no symptoms?

Like many other types of cancer, colon cancer often does not present any symptoms in its early stages. By the time the cancer has advanced to stage 4 (metastasized), a number of symptoms may occur depending on where in the body the cancer has spread.

What are 3 warning signs of cancer?

Warning Signs of CancerUnexplained weight loss.Fatigue.Night sweats.Loss of appetite.New, persistent pain.Recurrent nausea or vomiting.Blood in urine.Blood in stool (either visible or detectable by special tests)More items...

What can be mistaken for colon cancer?

Colon cancer is often misdiagnosed because of the symptoms—especially in the early stages—often mimic those of other gastrointestinal disorders....Some common misdiagnoses are:Hemorrhoids.Irritable bowel syndrome.Diverticulitis.Crohn's disease.Polyps.Ulcerative colitis.

Is colon cancer pain in one spot?

Colon cancer pain is generally felt as vague abdominal pain or cramps. The exact site of the pain may vary depending upon the part of the colon involved, the size of the tumor, and the extent to which it has spread in the body (metastasis).

Can you feel colon cancer with your finger?

In this exam, your doctor will put his or her gloved finger into your rectum to feel for growths. It's not painful. However, it can be uncomfortable.

What to do if you have colorectal cancer?

If you have symptoms that might be caused by colorectal cancer or if a screening test shows something not normal, your doctor will want to do more testing to find the cause. Your doctor will ask about your medical history to learn about possible risk factors, including check for symptoms and. It's important to know your family history.

What happens if you have colon cancer?

What happens if I have colorectal cancer? If you have colon or rectal cancer, treatment depends on which type of cancer it is , how big it is, and whether it has spread. Treatment may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Many people get more than one type of treatment.

How long does colorectal cancer last?

A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days. Often colorectal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms.

Why is it important to be tested for colorectal cancer?

That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms. Colorectal cancer that’s found early through screening, before you have symptoms, might be easier to treat. Screening can even prevent some colorectal cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called polyps.

Why does my stool look dark brown?

Blood in the stool, which might make it look dark brown or black. Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain. Weakness and fatigue. Losing weight without trying. Often colorectal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms.

What is the best way to test for cancer?

CT scans can also be used to help do a biopsy and can show if the cancer has spread. Ultrasound: For this test, a small wand is moved around on your skin. It gives off sound waves and picks up the echoes as they bounce off tissues. The echoes are made into a picture on a computer screen.

What tests can be done to determine if cancer has spread?

Other tests, such as MRI scans, x-rays and blood tests may also be done to look at how big the cancer is and whether it has spread.

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

I'm new here and have been having a pretty rubbish time over the last 8 months. I suddenly became nauseated, rapidly losing weight, constipated, and felt awful. I was referred to gyne and a G.I doctor. Had a CT, MRI, bloods and OGD. All clear so I thought perhaps it's just IBS as they kept suggesting.

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

The FODMAP is very difficult to stick to. I found it difficult and nearly gave up. Clean eating is great, but unless you systematically exclude and re-introduce each food group you won't really know if it's a trigger. For example, my triggers include mushrooms and beans, which most people would class as clean and healthy.

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

Hi Lornalu hope you are ok. Just wondered how you got on? Did you get to the bottom of what was going on?

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

I am also intrigued about this sausage shape you've felt as I have the exact same situation. I have a sausage shape, so far bloods are all normal and I've had TBC, LFT, Thyroid, inflammatory, iron and I'm sure there was another. I've got an ultrasound tomorrow and I've managed to get a FIT test for my poo that I need to send in.

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

Hi, I also have this exact same long sausage like lump in my lower left, that runs from my hip bone towards my pubic bone. Did you manage to find out what was the cause? How did the ultrasound go?

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

Everything came back normal and the consultant said that the sausage like lump is actually my colon that I can feel because I don't carry much weight and it's completely normal. I had a colonoscopy and all was fine. Constipation still persists and I have never found a cause.

Colon cancer - what did it feel like?

Thank you for the update. I haven't pursed my self any more. They lablled me with health anxiety spite physical symptoms which have been on going for over a year. That said your comment has eased me a little thank you.

How many women are diagnosed with colon cancer in 2015?

It's not just an old man's disease—more than 47,000 women are expected to be diagnosed this year. By Christina Heiser. Mar 17, 2015. , You probably think that colon cancer is something that primarily affects men your dad's age and beyond—after all, colonoscopies are recommended for adults 50 and older. But a November 2014 study published in the ...

When did Sonja get colon cancer?

Sonja dealt with stomach pain and bleeding when she went to the bathroom for about a year before she went to the doctor and was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2012, when she was just 26 years old. “I was too embarrassed to tell anybody, ” says the now-29-year-old from North Carolina. “When I had the bleeding, of course I Googled it, and colon cancer popped up, and I read about it. But I had one symptom and zero risk factors .”

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