Table of contents:
- What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer (colon and rectum)?
- 1. The habit of defecating (BAB) changes
- 2. Bloody bowel movements
- 3. Abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting
- 5. Weight loss
- 6. An abnormal tumor or polyp is detected
- 7. Experiencing anemia
Cancer that attacks the colon (colon), rectum, or both, is known as colorectal cancer. According to WHO data, colorectal cancer caused the second largest number of deaths in the world in 2018. The high mortality rate is most likely due to late detection of the disease so that it is already severe. So, what are the signs and symptoms or characteristics of cancer that attacks the colon and rectum?
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer (colon and rectum)?
Recognizing the characteristics of cancer that attacks the colon or rectum is one form of colorectal cancer prevention. When you understand the symptoms, you will certainly be more aware of colon cancer and immediately see a doctor.
If this cancer is detected early and the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is confirmed, of course the spread of cancer cells can be prevented. As a result, the cancer treatment is lighter and the cure rate is higher.
In the early stages (stage 1), cancer of the colon (colon) and rectum generally does not cause symptoms. However, a small proportion of sufferers report the appearance of symptoms that are sometimes vague and almost similar to digestive problems.
Common signs of colon and rectal cancer include:
1. The habit of defecating (BAB) changes
Constipation or diarrhea is a very common digestive problem. You can handle it easily. Like diarrhea, it will immediately get better by taking anti-diarrheal, ORS, or antibiotics that your doctor prescribes if it is caused by a bacterial infection. While constipation, it will be relieved by eating fibrous foods or taking laxatives.
However, make no mistake, both of them can also be signs of early stage colorectal cancer (colon / colon and rectum cancer).
Especially if the symptoms do not improve, even though you have already treated them. You can experience persistent diarrhea or prolonged constipation. It could also be that the two symptoms of colon or rectal cancer occur interchangeably without a clear cause.
2. Bloody bowel movements
Bloody bowel movements are often a symptom that appears along with diarrhea or constipation. If this happens, chances are that you have a sore in your rectum due to frequent rubbing of feces that are difficult to pass or injured because you have to keep passing stools.
Again, you shouldn't underestimate this condition. Bloody bowel movements due to constipation or diarrhea, may require you to seek medical help immediately. In addition, it could be that the appearance of blood in the stool is an unexpected symptom of colon and rectal cancer.
The appearance of colon cancer that can be seen from this CHAPTER can actually be distinguished from constipation or diarrhea. In both, blood will appear on the surface of the stool, while in cancer, the blood will make the stool dark.
3. Abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting
In addition to the characteristics above, there is another sign of cancer that attacks the colon and rectum that usually accompanies it, namely abdominal pain.
Sometimes some people who have colon cancer also experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and a bloated stomach. This condition can be a warning for you to see a doctor immediately, if it occurs continuously.
5. Weight loss
Almost all cancer patients experience the characteristics of a drastic weight loss, including in patients with cancer of the colon and rectum. This is due to persistent symptoms of nausea, vomiting and other digestive problems.
Losing a lot of weight without an obvious cause this reinforces another symptom you feel is most likely cancer.
6. An abnormal tumor or polyp is detected
Although the cause of colorectal cancer is not known with certainty, it may occur due to DNA mutations in cells. Mutations make the cell's instruction system in DNA damaged, so that cells function abnormally.
Cells should grow, divide and die regularly and according to the body's needs. Unfortunately, abnormal cells act out of control. Cells continue to divide and do not die, causing buildup. This accumulation of cells will form a tumor in the large intestine and rectum.
Over time, the tumor will get bigger and bigger and cause swelling and intense pain as it presses on the surrounding nerves. Not only tumors, colorectal cancer can also form from polyps (lumps caused by excessive cell growth) that are abnormal.
However, the symptoms of cancer that attacks the colon and rectum can only be seen with certain medical procedures. One of them is colonoscopy, which involves inserting a long flexible tube equipped with a video camera attached to the monitor.
Through this tool, the doctor can see the entire intestine and rectum and find abnormal polyps or tumors. Then, the doctor will take a small tissue for sample by biopsy. The sample will then be taken to a laboratory, viewed under a microscope, and whether it is cancerous or not.
7. Experiencing anemia
Although it generally affects adults over 50 years of age, children can also get this disease because of the risk of gene mutations that are inherited from parents with colorectal cancer. So, what are the characteristics or symptoms of cancer that attacks the colon or rectum in children?
Reporting from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the characteristics of children who have colon and rectal cancer experience symptoms that are not much different from those of adults. These include severe abdominal pain and swelling, diarrhea, constipation, and bloody stools.
