Colon Cancer, commonly termed colorectal cancer is a virulent and deadly tumor that can develop at any stage in adults. However, it typically affects both men and women aged above 50. The chances increase in developing colon cancer in the elderly population. However, the possibility of developing colon cancer in women is significantly less, around 1 in 25, though it rapidly prevails in women. There can be several colon cancer symptoms. So, go through the entire blog to know more about this type of cancer developing in women and what kinds of efforts you can put in to cure it naturally.
Pre-stage colon cancer symptoms in women
There may be several symptoms patients experience while in stage 1 colorectal cancer. Some of them may be very strange and painful. The pain depends on the size of the tumor, place, and body sensitivity to the pain. Below, we are listing some of the symptoms one with colorectal cancer may experience in the initial stage:
Unexplained Rectal Bleeding
Whenever you start experiencing rectal bleeding, you need to alert your healthcare provider about your situation immediately. However, rectal bleeding can be caused by numerous diseases like Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, etc. But this is more a matter of concern when the blood is intense red. Though you don’t always need to see blood in your stool, sometimes the stool can be darker than usual or just normal.
Changes in Bowel Movement Habits
Sudden change in bowel habits also falls under the category of early colon cancer symptoms in women. The change in stool passing process includes irritating, painful, and frequent bowel movements, narrow and ribbon-like poop. To put it in simple words, women can experience more regular bowel movements and loose stool situations. Also, they may feel tenesmus.
Anemia
In colorectal cancer, women can also experience anemia or iron deficiency in their bodies. Anemia is one of the most common colon cancer symptoms. It occurs because of so much blood loss during bowel movements and less consumption of iron in a routine diet.
When it comes to colon cancer symptoms, anemia is a symptom that is not generally noticeable. Still, it results in a pallor body, shortness of breath, and more noticeable fatigue.
Unreasonable Gradual Weight Loss
Unexplained and sudden weight loss is a more frequently observed symptom in women who have colorectal cancer. When you feel a sudden, gradual weight loss, you need to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider immediately when you are not even trying to lose weight. It can be the early signs of colorectal cancer or other diseases that must be cured.
Abdominal Pain with Fatigue
Intense abdominal pain and fatigue are among other potential colon cancer symptoms in women that should not be ignored. Suppose you feel tired every time, even after getting proper sleep, and a strong feeling of nausea can be a warning sign of colorectal cancer or other diseases. in the early stage of developing colorectal cancer. In that case, women can feel intense pain in their abdomen post-eating. This pain is irritating that can cause an eventual reduction in food intake, which leads to gradual weight loss.
Post-stage colon cancer symptoms in women
When patients ignore the early-stage colon cancer symptoms and let them grow metastasize, they can experience several symptoms that can be extremely painful. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below:
Lungs
Shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, and intense pain are the most observed signs of colon cancer spreading to a patient’s lungs.
Lymph Nodes
When colorectal cancer spreads in the lymph nodes, patients may experience bloating, swollen abdomen, and lost appetite.
Liver
Anorexia, fever, fatigue, pain in the abdomen, irritation, pain, and blood during stool passing, bowel movement shifts, loss of appetite, and weight loss are potential colon cancer symptoms when the patient’s liver is affected.
Brain
Colon cancer symptoms may involve vertigo, headache, blurred eyesight, and hemiparesis (paralysis or weakness in muscle occurring on one side of the body).
Bones
The signs that your bones get affected are unbearable pain, fractures, high calcium levels, or constipation. It’s rare, though, for colorectal cancer to metastasize to a patient’s bones.
What does colon cancer pain feel like
Most people who have colorectal cancer do not feel any signs in the early stages of the disease. The moment signs appear, they may fluctuate based on the size and place of cancer in your colon. Refer to the colon cancer stool pictures on our website.
Continuous abdominal pain and discomfort, gas, or cramps are some potential colon cancer symptoms. We can say that the pain in the abdomen is one of the most observing colon cancer symptoms among patients.
Pain is typically associated with a reduction in stools and bleeding and a change in bowel movement habits. Acute significant intestine obstruction may cause increased abdominal distention, pain, nausea, and constipation.
However, the colorectal cancer pain signs are different for an individual patient. Therefore, your healthcare provider will make your pain management plan perfectly fit your particular case.
Colorectal cancer pain is generally tiring and annoying in the right colon. Individuals may misunderstand it with gall peptic ulcer or bladder infection. In patients with colorectal cancer, this kind of pain is often a late manifestation.
The intensity and nature of abdominal pain may vary. Pain itself may be irritating, dull, or intense. Colorectal cancer pain can be recurring or occur once in a while. The abdominal pain in patients with colorectal cancer may be mild, moderate, or severe. The pain you feel may depend on the cancer type and stage you are suffering from, how much the tumor has spread, and how sensitive you are to pain.
The pain accompanied by colorectal cancer often occurs due to the tumor developed inside the colon. The tumor applies pressure on the nerves, bones, or other internal body organs, causing mild to acute pain.
At times, such tumors may grow hidden or remain undetected until some severe damage or weakening of the colon wall has happened. This may cause perforation and allow the water to enter the colon’s wall in the tumor surroundings. If the patient comes to this situation, they may feel tenderness to pain and pressure at the perforation location. If these perforations are more significant enough to leak the material from the colon area into the abdominal part, the patient will experience acute pain.
Colorectal cancer pain may come combined with fever and inflammation in rare cases. Peritonitis is a situation that is attributed to inflammation of the lower abdominal part and can be severely painful.
What causes colon cancer
Estimating if and when colorectal cancer will develop is impossible, but evaluating because of high-risk factors can safeguard lives. Prior detection via screening can prevent colorectal cancer and keep it at a curable stage. Some of the potential risk factors are:
Age
However, most colorectal cancer cases are seen in people aged 45 and above. Also, there is a hike in colorectal cancer cases in the population under 45. The risk is more potential with the increasing age. Screening begins at age up to 50 and continues for the next 25 years.
Type II Diabetes
Not only can diabetes raise the risk factors for colorectal cancer, but type II diabetes can also impact your prognosis.
Obesity
Since obesity causes several diseases, one of them is Colon cancer. Overweight or obesity is another prominent risk factor in developing colorectal cancer.
Lifestyle
Again, lifestyle also affects colon cancer development. The way people live their life can also increase the probability of developing colorectal cancer.
Diet
Overeating, loaded with extra weight on the body, and the kinds of foods you are intaking can contribute to bad health and colorectal and other types of cancers. Not merely the food consumption but also depends on how it is being prepared.
People are recommended to avoid red meat and any kinds of processed meats, such as deli meats, hot dogs, and other red meat types. Also, stop eating burnt foods or meat. To prevent colorectal cancer, you should try to avoid frying and grilling meats.
You should add more fresh and healthy vegetables and fruits, more plant-based foods in your regular diet, and avoid all the dairy and processed foods. Try to avoid sweets too.
Genetics
The way we can inherit an excellent chin or a good head of hair. Similarly, we can also inherit bad genes from our parents. If anybody has been suffering from colorectal cancer in your family, your healthcare provider will probably recommend you get screened as soon as possible.
Inherited diseases can also be a factor that raises the possibility of developing colon cancer. Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)are the two most prevalent cancers that can be inherited.
Ethnic background can also play a vital role in developing colorectal cancer. African Americans tend to experience colorectal cancer to a great extent in the United States. Jews also have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer.
General Causes
While several different factors can cause colorectal cancer, the essential element is still unknown. Being aware of the reasons and whether you are at a higher risk or not can help save your life.
Conclusion
On the bottom line, we would like to introduce you to the best solution that will help you fight colorectal cancer. University Cancer Centers is one of the most trusted private facilities that offer the most accurate answers and treatments for colon or most often known as colorectal cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms mentioned above, we will recommend you visiting our website and leverage the services offered by us.