Most women will not notice any symptoms of colon cancer in the early stages. However, you may notice darker colored bowel movements or blood in the stool. The blood in the stool is often occult and not detected until a blood test shows low red blood cell counts. In such cases, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. Also, if you are bleeding regularly, get a colonoscopy. Diarrhea and constipation are also symptoms of colon cancer.
Abdominal pain
While no woman should have constant abdominal pain, there are certain signs that indicate the possibility of colon cancer. These symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the location and type of cancer. The most common is abdominal pain, which typically happens after a bowel movement. Other signs include blood in the stool or the color of the stools. This type of bleeding can be occult, and is not apparent until a blood test indicates low red blood cell count.
Other symptoms to be aware of include bright red blood in the stool, which indicates bleeding in the colon or rectal area. Some symptoms of colon cancer are similar to hemorrhoids and may go unnoticed. If abdominal pain persists for more than six months, however, it is important to see a doctor. Additionally, abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating may also be symptoms of another condition. If the pain or bloating is persistent, or occurs with no apparent cause, you should consult a doctor to get checked for further signs of colon cancer.
Pain in the abdomen is the most common sign of colon cancer in women. However, some women might mistake these symptoms for normal menstrual periods. This is unfortunate because colorectal pain often is mistaken for menstrual cramps and bloating. If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible to have your condition evaluated. Whether the pain is gynecological or colon-related, the sooner you seek treatment, the more likely you are to survive the cancer.
While colorectal cancer is a common disease for both men and women, it is often overlooked by many. Fortunately, colon cancer can be treated if caught early. However, you can help prevent colon cancer by reducing your risk factors by eating more vegetables and wheat bran. You should also avoid excessive calories and smoking. And remember to exercise regularly to maintain good health. There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing colon cancer in women.
Bleeding
Blood in the stool may be an indicator of colon cancer. Bright red blood in the stool is indicative of this disease. While it can be mistaken for menstrual cramps, bleeding from the colon can also be a symptom of endometriosis. However, if the bleeding continues without an explanation, then it is time to see a doctor. If you have experienced a change in bowel habits, such as having looser stools or more frequent bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer.
While it is true that women are more susceptible to developing colorectal cancer than men, the symptoms are similar for both sexes. Women who experience abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss, constipation, or bleeding may ignore these symptoms, thinking they are menstrual cramps. Therefore, it is critical to schedule a colon cancer screening to ensure early detection.
If detected early, colon cancer in women is curable. If detected in its early stages, it is much more likely to be curable than those with cancer that has spread throughout the colon wall. However, when it is spread through the colon wall or lymph nodes, it cannot be detected early. After cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen, there is only a thirty to fifty percent chance of survival. If it has metastasized to other organs, the survival rate drops even further.
If bleeding is a symptom of colon cancer in women, she should be evaluated by a physician for colon cancer. Her colorectal surgeons at Yale Medicine Colon & Rectal Surgery see many young patients with colon cancer. One doctor diagnosed a father of four in his thirties with colon cancer after he had misdiagnosed the symptoms as hemorrhoids.
Diarrhea
Symptoms of colon cancer in women may vary, depending on the location of the tumor, its size and location, and its spread. Usually, a blockage of the right hand side of the colon occurs during the late stages, while bleeding from the colon is typically not noticed. Diarrhea that lasts longer than several days is also a sign of colon cancer. Other symptoms of colon cancer in women include abdominal pain, cramps, gas, and bloating.
The presence of blood in the rectum can be a disturbing sign of colon cancer in women. While small amounts of blood in the stool may be caused by fissures or hemorrhoids, large amounts may require a visit to the emergency room. Diarrhea may be a sign of other internal problems. A small, hard stool may indicate constipation, and any other changes in stool should be addressed by a physician.
The best way to detect colon cancer early is through routine screening. Early diagnosis can lead to a complete cure. Most women with colon cancer do not experience any symptoms until it has advanced to stage 4. A doctor may recommend a screening test for individuals between ages 50 and 75. Moreover, if a family member has colon cancer, women with a family history should consult a physician as early as possible.
Another sign of colon cancer in women is blood in the stool. Although blood in the stool is a sign of colon cancer, it can be a symptom of other diseases such as hemorrhoids and ulcerative colitis. Bleeding in the bowel may also be caused by certain foods. Some beets may cause coloration in the stool. If you see a bright red stain in the stools, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Constipation
It is not clear if constipation as a symptom of colon tumors in women is a sign of colon cancer. However, this ailment has been associated with a higher risk of non-GI cancers such as pancreatic cancer. In women, the risk of developing colon cancer and other GI cancers was elevated in the first year, but decreased after that. There was no significant difference in the risk of other non-GI cancers among women and men with constipation.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, consult a medical professional as soon as possible. Remember, many of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases, including hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome. However, it is important to visit a doctor right away, regardless of whether you suspect colon cancer. A doctor can perform a colonoscopy to confirm the presence of colon cancer or not.
Early colon cancer warning signs may be misinterpreted by premenopausal women as menstrual issues. However, colorectal symptoms are distinct from gynecological problems, so it is important to seek a medical professional’s advice. Women should be wary of gastrointestinal bleeding, which is not the same as bleeding in the colon. Patients should also check for pale skin and abdominal bloating if they suspect that they are suffering from colon cancer.
Women should consult a healthcare provider if they notice changes in their bowel habits. This is especially true if they notice a rectum lump or blood in their stools. Also, anyone with risk factors for colon cancer should get screened for it. The American Cancer Society recommends that a person undergo colon cancer screening at age 45. However, if you have any of the risk factors, your healthcare provider may recommend starting screening earlier than this.
Blood in stool
Many common gastrointestinal ailments are actually signs of colorectal cancer. For example, bleeding while bowel movements is a warning sign of colon cancer. However, some of these symptoms are not always associated with colorectal cancer. Here are the symptoms that you should be aware of:
First, blood in the stool can be red or dark. If it is bright red, it probably indicates bleeding in the small bowel, while dark red or maroon blood indicates blood higher up in the colon. Dark tar-like poop is often the result of an ulcer. Blood in the rectal area can also be bright red or invisible to the naked eye, but can be detected by a microscope.
Regular screening is essential to detect colon cancer before symptoms appear. Regular screening identifies polyps in the colon before they become cancerous. It may even be possible to remove these polyps before they turn into cancerous growths. As colon cancer often starts with abnormal growths in the colon, screening is the best way to catch the disease early. When it is diagnosed early, treatment can be most effective.
Besides colorectal cancer, bleeding in the bowel can also be caused by hemorrhoids, ulcers, or Crohn’s disease. A bright red blood in poo may also be the result of iron in the body, or it could simply be the result of a bacterial or viral infection. In either case, it is best to consult a doctor immediately to rule out a more serious underlying condition.