Colon cancer is on the rise among young people and it has been rising over the past couple of decades. Doctors predict that about 53,000 US deaths will be caused by colon cancer this year, which is alarming because this younger demographic tends to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease, when it is harder to treat and cure.
Signs Of Colon Cancer That Should Not Be Ignored
Rectal Bleeding
The most common sign for colorectal cancer is renal bleeding, especially in young people. In fact, almost half of the people diagnosed colon cancer reported seeing blood in the toilet bowl or toilet paper.
Younger people tend to develop tumors in the last portion of the rectum or colon. Since blood from these tumors don’t have a long distance to travel, which is why it looks bright red. Blood can look almost black if it has been in the digestive track for a while.
It’s good to remember, rectal bleeding can also be caused by other things, such as hemorrhoids, tissues, and irritable bowel disease. Either way, any type of bleeding should be assessed by a medical professional
Changes In Bowel Habits
A tumor in the rectum or colon will change your bowel habits. This can be in the form of diarrhea, constipation, or even both. Other people say they don’t feel empty after going or they notice their stools looks different, usually thinner or more narrow.
Abdominal Cramping Or Pain
Stomach aches that are persistent, especially if they occur after a meal. While this can be contributed to many things, irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, indigestion, or kidney stones, to have a medical professional look into it.
If you are experiencing abdominal pain that is different from what you experienced before, it’s a reason to see a doctor.
There are a number of conditions that can affect the colon. polyps, Colon cancer, hemorrhoids, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and diverticular disease.
Preventative screening and testing help detect diseases and conditions in their early and most treatable stages. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Gastroenterology Consultants of Central Florida.