What Are The Symptoms Of Colon Cancer

My mother died from this when she was 31, as she was diagnosed too late. I'm 20 and have just been diagnosed with a possibility of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Seeing as I've heard colonic cancer is genetic, should I be getting checked out the possibility of cancer?

Also, for people who have suffered from colon cancer- what were the earliest symptoms that you got?
I don't mean to sound like a hypochondriac-it's just I don't want to find out too late like my mother did.

The problem with colon cancer is that it shows no symptoms at early stages. It only starts showing when it's advanced. The symptoms are:

- Blood flecks in your stools, particularly if the blood is dark or plum-coloured. This is the most commonly noticed symptom and should never be ignored.
- A change in your regular bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhoea, that's severe or lasts for two weeks or more.
- Abdominal pain or discomfort that lasts for two weeks or more.
- Unexplained weight loss.

To get cancer at a young age it is most likely genetic. I'm going to see a genetic doctor because I was diagnosed at 20. If any close relative has had colon cancer at a young age, you should ensure your doctor rules that out, instead of diagnosing you without any tests for cancer. I was told I probably have IBS, but luckily, she wanted to do more tests to be on the safe side. Although some people do get it at a young age without there being a genetic factor involved.

2008-08-27 13:31:55 by Cassie

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I am 20 years old and I feel something is wrong with my colon and I have all the symptoms that arise from colon cancer. I read that colonoscopys are given to people over 50 because people my age arent at risk or it's rare to have colon cancer. And I was just wondering what other things are there that have the same symptoms as colon cancer?

Younger populations do not have a high risk for colorectal cancer (although it does occur, rarely). Certain things which may cause colonic symptoms in younger people are ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, anal fissure, and lactose intolerance.

Keeping a log of your symptoms and seeing a GP will help sort out what the cause is.

2008-10-14 19:46:42 by Raymond w

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i think my husband might have colon cancer. he complains that he feels like he has go to the bathroom but doesnt need to, throws up every night, tired/weak, stomach hurts alot and little blood in toilet. could that be what it is or something else?

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. 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.

See more at http://coloncancer.about.com/cs/thebasic s/a/Top10CCSymptoms.htm

2006-06-27 21:02:57 by Jessica L

Initially the doctors say it is irritable bowel syndrome. Medicines give only a temporary relief. Will this be cancer?

Having these symptoms does not mean you have cancer. A number of other medical problems could cause similar symptoms, including:

* Irritable bowel syndrome, a common digestive problem that causes periods of stomach pain, cramping or bloating, and diarrhea or constipation.
* Other growths (polyps) in the large intestine that are not cancer.
* Diverticulitis, a condition in which pouches form in the wall of the colon and become painful, swollen, or infected.
* Infections that cause diarrhea, such as salmonella.
* Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause swelling and sores in the intestines.
* Bleeding hemorrhoids.
* Ulcers of the rectum.

2009-05-18 05:49:00 by joevalan

I am having some itching, and i took zentel but it is still happening, i dont past my stool everyday so i am very concern.

Symptoms are:
- rectal bleeding
- stomach cramps
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- thin stools
- feeling of not having emptied your bowels fully
- bloated feeling
- fatigue

Colon cancer is often found through a colonoscopy, where they insert a tube with a camera into your bum and look at your bowel. If any polyps are found, they take samples and do a biopsy.

2008-09-11 06:45:31 by confused