Colon Cancer & Our Lives
- Symptoms of colon cancer include: change in bowel habits, change in stool color, abdominal pain, unexpected weight loss, and anemia.
- Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer this summer; the actor lost his 4-year battle with the disease.
- Treatment options vary depending on the stage of your cancer.
1. Change in Bowel Habits
It's important to be mindful of your bowel habits and note any changes. Frequency of bowel movement varies from person to person. While some may poop three times per week, others may poop three times per day.
While there is a varying spectrum of "normal" bowel patterns, you should be on the lookout for anything that is outside of your personal normal. You should also pay attention to any change in the caliber, or size, of your stool. If your stool looks unusually thin, this may be a cause for concern.
Any major change could signal an internal issue, and should be paid attention to. Note that changes in diet, hydration, and more, can also lead to change in bowel habits.
2. Change in Stool Color
Stool color is influenced by what you eat, and comes in a range of colors, says the Mayo Clinic. If your stool is bright red or black, you should seek prompt medical attention. This could be indicative of a serious issue that may pertain to colon cancer.
Non-brown stools may be the result of food moving through the large intestine too quickly (this happens with diarrhea). In this instance, your poop will likely be green. If your poop is light-colored or white, it may be the result of lack of bile (a yellow-green fluid that digests fats), and you should seek medical care.
3. Pain in the Abdomen
Abdominal pain can be a symptom of colon cancer. If you're experiencing unusual pain in the abdomen region, and it's not related to a menstrual cycle, you may want to consult with a doctor.
4. Unexpected Weight Loss
If you've shed some pounds lately and the weight loss was unintentional, this may be cause for concern. Disregarding factors like stress and worry which can lead to diet changes, and thus, weight loss if you are losing weight and you don't know why, consult your doctor.
5. Anemia
Be on the lookout for increased feelings of being tired or weak; this subtle change in energy may be the result of anemia. Anemia is a condition in which a person lacks healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body's tissues. If you suspect you may have anemia which can be caused by iron deficiency (this is the most common type of anemia), vitamin deficiency, and more you should consult a physician. Anemia can be one symptom of colon or colorectal cancer.
Treatment Options
Dr. Daniel Labow tells SurvivorNet that "the standard treatment of stage three colon cancer is surgery, followed by adjuvant (after surgery) chemotherapy. The goal of chemotherapy after surgery is to kill any cancer cells that have spread outside the colon that were not removed with surgery."
Risk factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet, can all play a part in the development of colon cancer. People with a family history of the disease may be considered high risk for colon cancer, and should thus begin screening for the disease earlier via colonoscopy screenings.
Colon Cancer Screening is Extremely Important
Listen to your body, and be on the lookout for these symptoms. And if anything seems unusual, book an appointment to see your doctor.
Related: Chemotherapy for Stage Three Colon Cancer
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.