Symptoms of Bowel Cancer
Symptoms of bowel cancer are the following: loss of weight, thin stools and bright red blood in the feces. This cancer can exist for a long time without giving any symptoms whatsoever. Other symptoms that begin to show are feeling the need to go when there is no need to go. Two other symptoms of bowel cancer are fatigue and stomach cramping. Early detection should be done routinely on people over 50 years of age as they may not show any symptoms and only a rectal screening may show the presence of bowel cancer that has been growing for years.
Once the cancer is discovered, usually in the large bowel, the treatment will vary depending on what is the stage of the cancer. The early stages are easier to treat and the more advanced stages may require very vigorous treatment, which can include surgery and chemo or radiation treatment. The fact that the cancer can be present for years without causing any symptoms means that after age 50, a routine exam and screenings should be part of the annual physical. Lack of routine bowel movements and a feeling of constipation can also be signs of bowel cancer. If a screening is negative, it may be wise to change the diet and try to get more exercise as overweight patients are at a higher risk for this form of cancer.
As with all cancers, the earlier the cancer is discovered, the better the prognosis for the patient. Researchers believe that bowel cancer can be caused by alcohol, obesity, smoking, and inflammatory bowel disease. In very early stages, the tumor may be very small and not present any obvious clues to its existence. In later stages, the symptoms will begin to show and the patient may have various feelings of discomfort, such as poor bowel movements or a feeling that they need to go when they cannot. Blood in the stool should always be cause for a check-up, as this is a serious condition that is not normal.Thin stool is caused by the tumor obstructing the passing of feces in the intestines and is a very significant symptom that warrants further investigation.
Healthy diets and exercise are very good preventive measures to practice as well as annual screenings after age 50. Lack of physical exams is a very poor way to go for all patients. Early detection can save your life.