Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or bowel cancer, is a cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer may develop from polyps and its early removal can prevent from the cancer. Cancer is an alteration of the normal cells, causing them to grow and multiply at an abnormal rate. The cancer is most curable when detected before the development of the symptoms or during early symptoms. One of the important colon cancer early symptoms is rectal bleeding. But unfortunately, most people mistakenly consider the bleeding as hemorrhoids and avoid consulting a doctor.

Bowel movements can result in bleeding. Even then, there may not be any major discharge of blood and bleeding will be occasional. Dried blood in the stool indicates tumor in colon and normal blood is an indication of tumor in rectum. Blood in the stool can also be due to several other reasons. Constant loss of blood can lead to anemia. Instead of becoming a self-appointed doctor, it is better to have a proper screening done.

Most of the colon cancer early symptoms may go unnoticed as they do not cause severe discomfort or might be considered as other ailments. Narrow stools, for a prolonged period of time, are an indication of some sort of growth in the colon or rectum. The narrowing results as the waste material tries to navigate through the tumor. When there is a growth happening in the colon, it will be reflected in your bowel movement. The cancerous growth hampers the smooth movement of the bowels. This can result in constipation. In a prolonged situation of constipation, you should consult a doctor. Bloating and cramping resulting from constipation are the other symptoms.

Another colon cancer early symptom is nausea and vomiting without any reason. In fact, obstruction caused by tumor can trigger periodic episodes of nausea and vomiting. Flatulence and other disorders caused by gas can be due to the obstruction created by the cancerous growth. A tumor in the rectum causes a feeling of unfinished defecation. Persistent occurrence of such a feeling indicates the presence of a tumor which is mistaken by the body as stool.

Apart from the symptoms related to bowel movement, yet another early symptom of colon cancer is weight loss, which is not attributed to any particular reason like diet or exercise. Such a weight loss is a clear sign that the body is undergoing some serious changes. The tumor might be hampering with the capacity of the colon to absorb moisture from food residues. Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness. Most people are likely to ignore these colon cancer early symptoms as natural occurrences associated with the tough modern daily routine.

Colon cancer also known as colorectal cancer is cancer cells that are present in the long tube known as the large intestine and rectum. Some tumors found in this area are called polyps are not cancerous; however, tumors that are malignant are cancer. As with practically all cancers, the exact causes are not known, however, risk factors that are present may help lead scientists to the answer. The risk factors for developing colon cancer include the following.

Diet: Individuals that eat a diet high in fat are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer. Those that eat a balanced diet and include such things as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables decrease their chances of developing colon cancer.

Colon polyps: Physicians believe that untreated polyps develop into colon cancer. In the majority of cases, these polyps are benign; however, over years without being removed the cells can change due to chromosome damage, which can become cancerous.

Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis can be a cause of colon cancer. This disorder brings on inflammation to the inner lining of the colon. In the majority of individuals with ulcerative colitis their chances of colon cancer begins to increase after 8 to 10 years of living with the disorder. Research shows colon cancer and individuals with ulcerative colitis include after 10 years 2.5 had colon cancer, after 30 years the rate rose to 7.6 , and after 50 years, it had risen to 10.8 .

Heredity: Past history of relatives with colon cancer increases the risk of this type of cancer. However, 80 percent of all patients do not have a family history of the disease.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer : Many people do not realize they have colon cancer due to the fact that the symptoms may not be present for many years after the development of the cancer cells. The symptoms can differ according to the location of the cancer or the tumor. The right colon is very large and in most cases, the symptoms are not apparent except for the possibility of becoming anemic due to iron deficiency due to the cancer. The left colon on the other hand is smaller and can cause partial or complete obstruction of the bowel bringing on constipation, diarrhea, cramps, bloating, and abdominal pain.