Signs of Colon Cancer

Signs of colon cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel movements, weight loss, and fatigue.

Most colorectal cancers are due to old age and lifestyle factors, with only a small number of cases due to underlying genetic disorders. Risk factors include diet, obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity.Dietary factors that increase the risk include red meat, processed meat, and alcohol. Another risk factor is inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Some of the inherited genetic disorders that can cause colorectal cancer include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer; however, these represent less than 5% of cases. It typically starts as a benign tumor, often in the form of a polyp, which over time becomes cancerous.

Check out the following resources to help you with colon cancer:

Colon & Rectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment https://amzn.to/2N8ZL8d6

Cancer Secrets: https://amzn.to/2YX6HaX

The Colon Cancer Miracle: https://amzn.to/2YXkm1R

How to stop your metastasized cancer: https://relaxingmusic.website/relaxing-music-shop/

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer

Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important.

If you have symptoms, they may include—

• A change in bowel habits.

• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).

• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.

• Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.

• Losing weight and you don’t know why.If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.

Factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer…

The exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, but certain risk factors are strongly linked to the disease, including diet, tobacco smoking, older age, a sedentary lifestyle,

inflammatory intestinal conditions and heavy alcohol use. Also, people with certain hereditary cancer syndromes or a family history of colorectal cancer have a high risk of developing the disease.

Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of colon cancer…

• Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Diets that include lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have been linked with a decreased risk of colon or rectal cancer. Also, eat less red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats), which have been linked with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

• Get regular exercise. If you are not physically active, you may have a greater chance of developing colorectal cancer. Being more active may help reduce your risk.

• Drink Only Moderately, if at All

• Alcohol is a strange thing when it comes to health. It’s heart-healthy in moderation but can increase the risk of colon and other cancers at even low levels. So what does this mean? If you drink moderately (up to one drink per day for women, two per day for men), there’s likely no reason for you to stop. If you don’t drink, though, there’s no reason for you to start. Heavy drinkers should try to cut down or quit.

• Don’t smoke. Long-term smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop and die from colon or rectal cancer.

• Get Enough Calcium and Vitamin D: There is good evidence that getting enough calcium and vitamin D can help protect against colon cancer. Shoot for 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams per day of calcium and about 1,000 international units (IU) per day of vitamin D. Some groups recommend testing for vitamin D deficiency, especially in those with increased risk of low levels, such as those living in northern parts of the country as well as elderly people, very overweight people and people with darker skin.

Colon Cancer Treatment..

Which treatments are most likely to help you depends on your particular situation, including the location of your cancer, its stage and your other health concerns. Treatment for colon cancer usually involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, might also be recommended.

What foods are good for colon cancer patients?

Clear Liquid Diet

After a colectomy, your bowels need time to heal and start working again. Immediately following surgery, your doctor will most likely recommend a clear liquid diet because clear liquids take very little to digest. Some options for a clear liquid diet are fruit juices, clear broth soups, tea, and frozen ices.

Full Liquids

Your doctor will assess your progress and eventually move you to a full liquid diet. In addition to the food allowed on a clear liquid diet, you can also add milk, vegetable juice, smooth soups and yogurt. If you’re concerned about getting proper nutrition, consult a specialist on how to get enough protein, fat, carbohydrates and calories. When done properly, it is possible to have a healthy diet.

Soft Foods

Once your bowels are back to normal, your doctor will re-introduce soft foods to your diet.

Bread, tender vegetables, cheese, oatmeal, and tender meat will be allowed in your diet. Your physician will give you specific guidelines and portion size and frequency of meals so you harm your bowels.

GG yogurt

• 1 container of plain nonfat Greek yogurt

• 4-6 ginger snap cookies

• 1/2 banana, sliced, if desired

Directions: Top yogurt with crushed cookies and sliced banana, and serve.

“The combination of nonfat Greek yogurt and ginger-containing cookies may help patients consume a light meal/snack, which will help to manage nausea, not exacerbate it by eating a large/heavy meal. … [Add] the banana on top for more soluble fiber if you’re also experiencing diarrhea.”

High-protein pancakes

• 1 large ripe banana, mashed

• 1 organic egg

• 1/4 cup non dairy milk

• 1/2 cup ground oats or quick-cook oats

Directions: Blend together, and add more milk if the batter’s too thick. Makes one large or three small pancakes.

“These pancakes are high in soluble fibers to slow down movement through the GI tract,” says Wisotsky.

Fiber

A diet rich in fibre (wholegrains, pulses, vegetables and fruit) is important for bowel health, as it helps move food more quickly through the bowel. Fibre also keeps you feeling full for longer, and so can help you control your weight and appetite. Increase fibre gradually and drink plenty of fluids like water, low fat milk or herbal teas, to avoid wind, bloating and stomach cramps.

Should I take supplements?

You should be able to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a healthy, balanced diet. But you may need supplements if there are some foods you can’t eat, if you follow a vegan or other restricted diet, or if you have a poor appetite.

Does having cancer make you lose your hair?

Hair loss or thinning is listed as a side effect for colon cancer chemotherapy, but it's most likely to only occur for those on radiation or irinotecan. You may end up looking like Yul Brynner, but it's not as likely as other problems you may encounter.

Is gas a sign of colon cancer?

If gas and bloating are associated with cramps and a feeling of fullness, this can be one of the 6 colon cancer warning signs. According to John Hopkins, most people pass gas about 14 times a day. Any type of obstruction in the colon, like a tumor, can disrupt your ability to pass gas causing these symptoms.

Can colon cancer affect your vision?

Like lymphoma, cancers of the breast, lungs, and colon can also metastasize into the eyes. In fact, these three forms of cancer are the most commonly seen cancers that do spread to the eyes. And, one of the scariest parts about their ability to do this is that the spread can occur even with the cancer in remission.

Is colon cancer or prostate cancer worse?

Men with first primary colorectal cancer are more likely to develop prostate cancer than colorectal second primaries, and men who develop second primary prostate cancer are more likely to die of prostate cancer than colorectal cancer.

Is colon cancer more common in males or females?

Colorectal cancer is more common in men. Men and women are equally at risk for colon cancer, but men are more likely to get rectal cancer. Polyps. These growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum aren't cancer, but they can lead to it.

Can colon cancer affect kids?

Colon cancer is not common in childhood even though cases have been reported in children and adolescents.Although it is sporadic, it can arise in the setting of predisposing illnesses such as familial polyposis syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Only 1 or 2 cases per million children are reported globally each year, but the incidence has been noted to be on the rise. The nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia as features of the disease could also be seen in other common childhood ailments, such as helminthiasis in our region in West Africa. As a result, unless there is a high index of suspicion at the outset, there is a risk that colon cancer will be diagnosed at a late stage, especially in children with no apparent predisposing factor.

In this case, an 11-year-old girl presented to our institution with abdominal pain, melena, abdominal swelling, and iron deficiency anemia. A positive family history of colon cancer in the mother and a brain tumor in an elder sibling prompted a search for and subsequent diagnosis of colon cancer. Her case highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion in making an early diagnosis to achieve the best possible outcomes. This case is being reported in line with the SCARE guidelines.

Can keto cause colon cancer?

There’s been a lot of talk about the link between sugar and cancer. For example, sugar is the main “food” for cancer. All cells need glucose, or sugar to survive, including cancer cells. With this information, it could be easy to suggest that removing sugar (in the form of carbohydrates), could starve cancer, thus putting an end to its existence. But things aren’t so simple. Our bodies need carbohydrates to function – all of our cells require energy to function and your body never lets your blood glucose level drop below a certain number, so eating less sugar will just make the body use its remaining resources to produce glucose (sugar) on its own.

In terms of developing colon or rectal cancer, obesity is a risk factor. And it’s clear that a ketogenic diet can help a person lose weight (although the jury is out if weight loss can be maintained long term using this approach). Obesity is a risk factor of colorectal cancer and recurrence. Considering a ketogenic diet from this perspective, if you are overweight, then yes it does help reduce the risk of getting cancer and could be something to consider with the support of a healthcare professional.

Can colon cancer cause sexual dysfunction?

Sexual function is affected by colon cancer: patients' sexual satisfaction decreases significantly, as does the frequency of sexual intercourse. There is an increase in sexual problems (desire, excitement, or pleasure disorders). Male gender, advanced age, distress, and the comorbidities increase sexual disorders. In addition, it appears that partner distress negatively affects patients' sexual health. Taking such difficulties into account appears key for these patients and their partners. They could benefit from better care throughout treatment and in remission.

Can colon cancer be caused by stress?

Research has long supported a connection between inflammation and cancer. But what scientists are now learning is the implication inflammation may have on the relationship between psychological stress and cancer. So far, research has stopped short of concluding that chronic stress causes cancer, but enough is understood about the association to suggest that being in a constant state of stress is a risk factor for cancer and its progression, and that inflammation is likely to blame. “Chronic stress creates something of a perfect storm where precancerous cells can grow and flourish,” says Ankur Parikh, DO, Medical Director of Precision Medicine at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

How can I manage stress?

Feeling stressed is normal, but long periods of stress have been linked to high blood pressure and depression.If you’re struggling to cope with stress, it’s a good idea to speak to your GP. You can find information and tips about coping with stress on the NHS and Mind websites.If you have been diagnosed with cancer we have information on coping emotionally. There are many cancer myths, including stress, that haven’t been proven to cause cancer. However, there are proven causes of cancer, and things you can do to reduce your risk.

Check out the following resources to help you with colon cancer:

Colon & Rectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment https://amzn.to/2N8ZL8d6

Cancer Secrets: https://amzn.to/2YX6HaX

The Colon Cancer Miracle: https://amzn.to/2YXkm1R

How to stop your metastasized cancer: https://relaxingmusic.website/relaxing-music-shop/