Often the symptoms of intestinal cancer appear gradually, but a certain symptom must be attended to first aid immediately.
Often, the symptoms of colon cancer cannot be considered serious, as the symptoms can appear gradually. Adobe Stock / AOP
Colon cancer is the most common cancer found in both sexes. Intestinal cancer refers to either colon or rectal cancer. According to cancer organizations, more than 3,800 new bowel cancers are diagnosed in Finland each year.
It is common not to consider the symptoms of colon cancer as serious, as the symptoms often appear gradually. Symptoms may also have occurred for years, so you may have gotten used to them.
Pay attention to these warning signs
- Bloody stool. One alarming sign is blood on the toilet paper or stool. Colon cancer, and especially rectal cancer, often has blood in its stool. The cause of the blood can also be harmless, such as hemorrhoids.
- Changes in stomach function. One warning sign can be that the stomach that used to function regularly does not function as it used to. The change can be, for example, the urge to defecate, slimy and scanty stool, abdominal swelling and cramping. If the above-mentioned symptoms start as a clear change in the functioning of the stomach, it is always a reason to see a doctor.
- Pain or lump. Cancer can cause a lump inside the intestine, which can result in blockages. If the cancer causes a blockage in the intestine, as a result, the person will vomit, there will be no stool and the stomach will be very painful. This is an emergency. If you suspect intestinal obstruction, seek emergency care immediately.
- Fatigue. Anemia and its consequences, such as fatigue, shortness of breath and feeling dizzy, are common symptoms of bowel cancer.
- Surprising weight loss.
Colon cancer symptoms can include fatigue and changes in stomach function. Adobe stock/AOP
Intestinal cancer almost always develops from a benign adenoma, i.e. a mucosal tumor. The tumor may be a pedunculated polyp or a mucosal swelling. The pre-stage of cancer can be detected during the endoscopy, and by removing it, the development of cancer can be prevented. More and more people are recovering from cancer. The chances of recovery depend on many factors, for example the type of cancer, the spread of the tumor and how early the cancer is found.
Sources: All about cancer and DailyMail.
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