5 symptoms of colon cancer
It's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on symptoms to alert you to the presence of cancer. This is because colorectal cancer can grow for years before causing any symptoms. But, knowing what to look out for can't hurt. If you have any of the following symptoms for more than about a week, please talk to a doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer.
get your bowels clean!!!
http://colonspa123.blogspot.com
1. You're pooping more or less often.
The presence of a tumor in your bowel throws things off. As your body tries to adjust to its presence, demands, and byproducts, you may experience changes in your bathroom habits. For example, let's say a tumor is slowly growing in your colon, inhibiting the flow of solid waste. You may or may not notice that you're defecating less often.
But if the tumor gets large enough, it may become very difficult for your poop to get by it and you'll end up constipated.
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Sound like a crap shoot? (No pun intended.) The tumor may obstruct your bowel. You may notice a difference. You may get constipated.
That's why, in general, it's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on symptoms to alert you to the presence of the cancer.
2. Your stool is thinner than usual.
Imagine a three-lane tunnel full of cars, all driving through with a nice, steady flow. Now imagine that two big rigs decide to block the left lanes in tandem... then they slow to a stop. Both of them. Blocking both left lanes. What do the cars do? They start filing to the right so they can get around the obstruction.
The same sort of thing happens in the bowel. Everything is flowing fine and dandy until a tumor starts to grow, causing an obstruction. As the obstruction gets bigger, the space around it gets smaller. So, as you might expect, tumors toward the "tunnel exit" tend to cause this effect of narrowed stool.
3. You have stomach cramping or bloating.
Bloating may be the result of a bowel obstruction. Cramping may be caused by constipation or diarrhea. In more advanced stages of colorectal cancer, severe abdominal cramping may be caused by the tumor perforating (poking through) the bowel wall.
4. There's bright red blood in or on your poop.
Tumors tend to bleed. Not a whole lot and not constantly, but they do bleed. As a result, some of that blood may be found in your stool. If the tumor is in the right colon, the blood will most likely be dried and virtually invisible by the time the poop leaves the body. However, if the tumor is in the rectum or toward the end of the left colon, it may still be fresh and therefore, bright red.
5. You've experienced unexplained weight loss.
Many of us wouldn't want to question unexplained weight loss. We'd just be happy to be losing weight! But, even though the prospect of losing weight without even trying may seem a blessing, it really is something to question. It's the old "if it sounds too good to be true..." idea.
The reason is that weight loss that comes out of nowhere is generally a sign that something is wrong with the body. In the case of colorectal cancer, unexplained weight loss is an indication that a tumor is blocking the bowel somewhere along the line.
Bloody stool is also traced to diarrhea and colitis- you may want to check out
http://bloodystool1234.blogspot.com for more probable causes of blood in your stool
FIVE TESTS FOR COLON CANCER
There are five common colon cancer tests: colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and fecal occult blood test.
Each has benefits and drawbacks, so it's best to ask your doctor which colon cancer test is appropriate for you. In the meantime, however, here's an overview of the most common types of colon cancer tests.
Colonoscopy
During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a flexible tube (called a colonoscope) into your anus. You can watch on a video monitor as the camera is threaded through your rectum, all the way to the end of your colon.
If you're thinking about how pleasant that must be, take heart: you're sedated during the procedure. One of the great things about this colon cancer test is its ability to remove polyps (pre-cancerous growths). A colonoscopy costs anywhere from $800 - $1,200 out-of-pocket, but is often covered by insurance.
Virtual Colonoscopy
Virtual colonoscopy provides a way to look inside your colon and rectum without actually having to go inside them. Doctors can use virtual colonoscopy to check for polyps, cancer, and other abnormalities of the colon and rectum. The colon cancer test is considered "virtual" because it relies on a computer program to generate a 3D picture of your large intestine using a bunch of X-ray images. The price of a virtual colonoscopy ranges from about $500 - $900.
Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscopy is a lot like a colonoscopy, except it only lets you see the lower part of your colon. The price of a sigmoidoscopy ($150 - $300 out-of-pocket) makes it a more affordable option for people without insurance.
Barium Enema
For this colon cancer test, a doctor uses an enema to fill your colon with barium sulfate. X-rays are taken while you hold in the liquid and move into different positions. The result is several X-rays that provide a two-dimensional view of your colon and rectum. A barium enema costs about $250 - $500.
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) find hidden blood in your stool - blood that could be from a colon or rectal tumor. There are at-home tests (such as EZ Detect and First Check) you can buy at a drugstore as well as guiaiac smear tests that must be performed in a doctor's office. FOBTs are the most affordable of all colon cancer tests (about $10 - $25 a pop), but they're also the least accurate
get your bowels clean!!!
http://colonspa123.blogspot.com
1. You're pooping more or less often.
The presence of a tumor in your bowel throws things off. As your body tries to adjust to its presence, demands, and byproducts, you may experience changes in your bathroom habits. For example, let's say a tumor is slowly growing in your colon, inhibiting the flow of solid waste. You may or may not notice that you're defecating less often.
But if the tumor gets large enough, it may become very difficult for your poop to get by it and you'll end up constipated.
Sponsored Links
Colon Cancer Symptoms?
Learn Everything About Colon Cancer Symptoms Causes & Cancer Treatments
Colon-Cancer.8medical.com
Reverse Colon Cancer
11 Natural Strategies effectively fight and conquer colon cancer.
www.CancerFightingStrategies.com
Sound like a crap shoot? (No pun intended.) The tumor may obstruct your bowel. You may notice a difference. You may get constipated.
That's why, in general, it's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on symptoms to alert you to the presence of the cancer.
2. Your stool is thinner than usual.
Imagine a three-lane tunnel full of cars, all driving through with a nice, steady flow. Now imagine that two big rigs decide to block the left lanes in tandem... then they slow to a stop. Both of them. Blocking both left lanes. What do the cars do? They start filing to the right so they can get around the obstruction.
The same sort of thing happens in the bowel. Everything is flowing fine and dandy until a tumor starts to grow, causing an obstruction. As the obstruction gets bigger, the space around it gets smaller. So, as you might expect, tumors toward the "tunnel exit" tend to cause this effect of narrowed stool.
3. You have stomach cramping or bloating.
Bloating may be the result of a bowel obstruction. Cramping may be caused by constipation or diarrhea. In more advanced stages of colorectal cancer, severe abdominal cramping may be caused by the tumor perforating (poking through) the bowel wall.
4. There's bright red blood in or on your poop.
Tumors tend to bleed. Not a whole lot and not constantly, but they do bleed. As a result, some of that blood may be found in your stool. If the tumor is in the right colon, the blood will most likely be dried and virtually invisible by the time the poop leaves the body. However, if the tumor is in the rectum or toward the end of the left colon, it may still be fresh and therefore, bright red.
5. You've experienced unexplained weight loss.
Many of us wouldn't want to question unexplained weight loss. We'd just be happy to be losing weight! But, even though the prospect of losing weight without even trying may seem a blessing, it really is something to question. It's the old "if it sounds too good to be true..." idea.
The reason is that weight loss that comes out of nowhere is generally a sign that something is wrong with the body. In the case of colorectal cancer, unexplained weight loss is an indication that a tumor is blocking the bowel somewhere along the line.
Bloody stool is also traced to diarrhea and colitis- you may want to check out
http://bloodystool1234.blogspot.com for more probable causes of blood in your stool
FIVE TESTS FOR COLON CANCER
There are five common colon cancer tests: colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and fecal occult blood test.
Each has benefits and drawbacks, so it's best to ask your doctor which colon cancer test is appropriate for you. In the meantime, however, here's an overview of the most common types of colon cancer tests.
Colonoscopy
During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a flexible tube (called a colonoscope) into your anus. You can watch on a video monitor as the camera is threaded through your rectum, all the way to the end of your colon.
If you're thinking about how pleasant that must be, take heart: you're sedated during the procedure. One of the great things about this colon cancer test is its ability to remove polyps (pre-cancerous growths). A colonoscopy costs anywhere from $800 - $1,200 out-of-pocket, but is often covered by insurance.
Virtual Colonoscopy
Virtual colonoscopy provides a way to look inside your colon and rectum without actually having to go inside them. Doctors can use virtual colonoscopy to check for polyps, cancer, and other abnormalities of the colon and rectum. The colon cancer test is considered "virtual" because it relies on a computer program to generate a 3D picture of your large intestine using a bunch of X-ray images. The price of a virtual colonoscopy ranges from about $500 - $900.
Sigmoidoscopy
A sigmoidoscopy is a lot like a colonoscopy, except it only lets you see the lower part of your colon. The price of a sigmoidoscopy ($150 - $300 out-of-pocket) makes it a more affordable option for people without insurance.
Barium Enema
For this colon cancer test, a doctor uses an enema to fill your colon with barium sulfate. X-rays are taken while you hold in the liquid and move into different positions. The result is several X-rays that provide a two-dimensional view of your colon and rectum. A barium enema costs about $250 - $500.
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) find hidden blood in your stool - blood that could be from a colon or rectal tumor. There are at-home tests (such as EZ Detect and First Check) you can buy at a drugstore as well as guiaiac smear tests that must be performed in a doctor's office. FOBTs are the most affordable of all colon cancer tests (about $10 - $25 a pop), but they're also the least accurate
Labels: colon cancer
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