Early Detection Saves Lives Before you can fully understand early symptoms of colon cancer, it is important to understand where exactly it occurs within your body. A colon refers to the final part of the digestive system; specifically, it is part of the large intestine. The purpose of a colon is to help prepare your digested foods for excretion. It stores your waste as it waits to vacate your body and plays a very minor part in extracting nutrients in the final stages of digestion. What is Colon Cancer? As the name suggests, colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon. Cancer occurs when cells, instead of replicating at a regular rate, begin to divide rapidly, causing tumors to form, and disrupting healthy bodily functions. As cancers progress, the growing cells can travel to other regions of the body. [youmaylike] What are Polyps? Polyps are growths that can grow within the colon. Having polyp growth does not mean you will get colon cancer. While not all polyps are cancerous, almost all malignant tumors in the colon start as polyps. Upon examination, your doctor will be able to give you more information on what your options are. Generally, a physician will perform a colonoscopy to remove it. Once removed, a pathologist can examine the tissue to determine whether or not the sample is dangerous and if further actions need to be taken. Symptoms of Polyps Polyps are not something you can see. To know something is not quite right, you will have to monitor your regular bodily functions. The most commonly reported symptoms related to polyp formation are: Rectal bleeding: If you notice that your rectum is bleeding, this could be due to polyp formation. It is important to recognize that this is also a common symptom of other problems such as hemorrhoids or anal tears. If it happens persistently, you should consider visiting your doctor for an internal examination. Abdominal pain: When polyps are rather big, they can obstruct the bowel. In doing so, it can cause problems that manifest as cramps or other abdominal pain. Irregular-colored stools: Even if you cannot notice it directly, rectal bleeding can influence the color of the stool. You may notice some small red stripes in mild cases. In more serious cases, heavy bleeding may cause your poop to appear black. Before you start to worry, make sure these color changes are not simply due to a change in diet, medication, or supplement use. Anemia: If polyps continue to bleed for a prolonged time, they may cause the development of an iron deficiency. Anemia can manifest in several ways, including fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, fainting, or having abnormally pale skin. Common Early Symptoms of Colon Cancer Polyps themselves are, again, not a direct indication of colon cancer. While cancer can develop from a polyp, there are other symptoms which separate the benign and malignant development. Symptoms of colon cancer are different for everyone, but the most commonly reported signs are: Changes in bowel movements: Particularly, you want to pay attention to the consistency of your stools. If it looks different or you develop constipation or diarrhea for an extended time, talk to your doctor. Rectal bleeding: You might pass bloody stools. Abdominal pain: Any type of discomfort, such as cramps or gas, should be monitored. Fatigue: Feeling weak or consistently tired despite adequate rest can be a sign of many medical problems. Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may be a sign of a lack of nutrition due to a malfunctioning digestive tract. Essentially, if your intestines are not able to properly absorb nutrients from food, you will not get enough nutrition from the food you eat. The “feeling” of a full bowel: Sometimes, even after passing a bowel movement to the highest extent possible, some patients report feeling like their bowel is not “empty”. While this is a normal sensation to experience from time to time, it can be a sign of an underlying colon problem. When to See a Doctor If you notice any of these symptoms mentioned above consistently, you should schedule an appointment with a licensed physician. Even if your abnormalities are not cancerous, they can be a sign of another serious medical condition that should be addressed. The earlier you recognize a problem, the better chance you have of getting access to effective medical intervention.
What Are Childhood Cancer Symptoms?
Cancer in children is slowly becoming one of the most common causes of illness. Donations to cancer charities and research groups helps fund invaluable work in discovering new treatments and cures.
According to the World Health Organization, about 400,000 children between 0 to 19 years of age receive a cancer diagnosis each year around the world. Those who live in high-income countries have an 80% chance of survival. In contrast, those who live in middle- or low-income countries have an estimated 15–45% chance. These survival rates reflect access to cancer screenings and prompt treatments. The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the sooner you can start treatment.
High-income countries have access to all the necessary tools and medication to begin treatment plans, but those in the middle- or low-income countries do not. Nevertheless, even for those in the latter group, one factor that significantly improves their survival chances is whether the cancer symptoms are caught in their early stages.
Recognizing childhood cancer symptoms is essential when it comes to fighting back against cancer. In this article, we’ll go over common symptoms to look for, and how to seek proper treatment.
Understanding Childhood Cancer Symptoms
Before we begin, understand that there’s no standard list of symptoms for all types of cancer. Different types of cancer have different symptoms, and these symptoms will also vary between patients. However, there are some common symptoms the body exhibits initially that you can look for.
The most common types of cancer in children include brain cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, Wilms tumor, and neuroblastoma. These all affect different parts of the body. For each of these types of cancers, the symptoms listed below are the most common:
- A strange bump, unusual lump, or sudden swelling in any part of the body
- Sudden paleness and loss of energy
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Sudden ongoing pain in one section of the body
- An unexpected fever or unexplained illness that won’t go away
- Frequent terrible headaches often accompanied with vomiting
- Unexplained bouts of vomiting
- Feeling tired all the time
- Back or joint (bone) pain that won’t go away
- Sudden vision or eye changes
- Trouble urinating, or blood in their urine
- Unexpected weight changes or weight loss
Keep in mind that these symptoms are very common and similar to that of other diseases or basic illnesses. But, for a child, any or all of these symptoms are concerning. Take your child to the doctor if any of these symptoms are present.
What Happens Next
While hospitals do offer cancer screenings, there are, unfortunately, no recommended screening tests for children.
In that case, the right choice would be to go to your child’s pediatrician and get a consult. After they’ve performed a comprehensive medical exam, proper checkup, and received the results from your child’s blood work, they will be able to tell further what your child is suffering from.
But if your pediatrician does not find a solution, they may ask for further consultation with a specialist. It’s also your right to ask for a second or third opinion, so getting a specialist would be a good choice.
Keep in mind that if you suspect cancer, there is a chance that you may be at risk as well. Some specific types of cancers run in families through genes, so you or your child’s other parent may be at risk. However, unless you’ve never had a medical consult, this is highly unlikely.
What Causes Cancer in Children?
Unfortunately, when it comes to detecting the cause of childhood cancer, there is no known cause. Some studies that have tried to identify the source have concluded that lifestyle or environmental factors may be to blame.
In addition, chronic infections, especially if some experience it in their childhood, such as Epstein-Barr virus, malaria, and HIV, can also increase the child’s chances of developing cancer.
As stated above, genetics play a significant factor as well. Further research is needed to determine which types of cancer would have a greater chance of getting carried on through the gene,
Closing Thoughts
Knowing that a child has cancer is a terrible thought that no parent—or child—should go through. For those who may suspect the worst, your best chance at getting a favorable outcome is to have cancer diagnosed early.
Be aware of cancer symptoms and be quick if you detect any such problems in your child’s health. An early diagnosis and timely treatment can make the difference between a healthy life and needless suffering.