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.
How Long Do STD Tests Take?
If you believe you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), you may be worried about your long-term health at the moment. There are various types of STDs. While some can be treated with medication, some common diseases, like herpes or HIV, are permanent and can affect your quality of life. If you believe you are at risk, testing is needed. So, how long do STD tests take and what do you need to know about them? Read on.
Depending on the STD and the moment from when the symptoms start appearing, testing your body for the strain can take several weeks after you have been exposed. If you have a curable STD, your doctor will get a re-test before beginning treatment.
But keep in mind, time is of the essence. STDs and STIs do not work as viral infections. Referring to the sexually transmitted part of the term, you can only get these infections and diseases from sexual contact with an already infected person.
If you suspect that the person you came into contact with was infected, you must get yourself tested as soon as possible.
What Are the Most Common STDs?
Several common STDs do display symptoms within the first few days or weeks. Unfortunately, given the nature of these diseases, it is also common for them not to show any symptoms at all. So, you might go months or even years without knowing you have an STD.
The National Coalition for Sexual Health lists various timelines for sexually active people. Whether you have been abstinent for a short period or even if you are in a long-term relationship, it is wise to get tested, especially if your doctor recommends it. There’s no need if you believe you have not exposed to any STDs.
However, if you have had multiple partners or are in an open relationship, or are polyamorous, this will increase your chances of developing symptoms for the following STDS:
Chlamydia
Symptoms occur one to three weeks after exposure, though they can start later as well. Symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain in women (testicular pain in men)
- Pain when urinating
- Discharge from the penis or vagina
- Vaginal bleeding after sex or after menstruation
Gonorrhea
Symptoms occur in the first two weeks after exposure. Symptoms include:
- Yellow or green discharge from the penis or vagina
- Pain while urinating
Scabies
Symptoms occur within the first six weeks or at the six-week mark. Symptoms may occur within four days if previously diagnosed. Symptoms include:
- Spotted red rashes
- Itching on and around the genital area (worse at night time)
Syphilis
Symptoms occur two to three weeks after exposure but can develop sooner. Symptoms include:
- Blotchy rashes
- Flu-like symptoms
- Painless ulcers or sores on the genitals
- Ulcers or sores may ooze syphilis bacteria
Genital Herpes
Symptoms may develop four to seven days after exposure. However, there is a greater chance you may not have any indications of the infection. Symptoms include:
- Severe itching around the genitals
- Tingling sensation around the genitals
- Pain while urinating
- Painful blisters on the genitals
Genital Warts
Symptoms may develop three weeks later, but they may also take months or even years to develop. Symptoms include:
- Itchy growth around the genitals
- Small growths and bumps around the anus and genitals (growth will not be so obvious)
HIV
Symptoms may develop within two to six weeks. Symptoms include:
- Red rashes all over the body
- High fever, headaches, aching joints and muscles, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms
Duration for STD Testing
To answer "how long do STD tests take?" it is good to know that each test is different, depending on the type of STD. Here's what to expect:
- Chlamydia: The type of tests used include blood, urine, or a swab test, and the re-test period will be three months.
- Gonorrhea: Testing includes blood, urine, or swab test. There’s a wait period of two weeks after a confirmed diagnosis and treatment to ensure negative results.
- Herpes: This is tested via a Pap smear for women; there’s no test for men. There is no re-test period.
- Syphilis: This is tested through a blood test with a re-test period of three months.
- HIV: This can be tested through a blood test, saliva sample, or nucleic acid test. There’s no re-test period.
Swab sample is typically taken from the throat, cervix, rectum, or vaginal canal
STDs, like genital warts, scabies, and genital herpes, require a physical examination before the doctor can make a diagnosis. Because of the obvious physical symptoms each STD causes, your doctor may inquire about your recent sexual history to estimate a timeline.
After making a diagnosis, your doctor will prescribe medication to control the severity of the STD symptoms.
A Note on Preventing STDs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using condoms, getting tested before initiating sex, and getting vaccinated to prevent STDs. They also recommend talking with your partner about safe sex and getting tested if either has been with multiple partners.
While it does seem like an uncomfortable conversation, talking about STDs and your past experiences ensures you and your partner are both safe during sex. If you need further education on STDs, the CDC also recommends talking with your healthcare provider to know all the details on keeping yourself safe.
Final Thoughts
While getting an STD may be disruptive to your lifestyle, it is not life-threatening, and now you know the answer to "how long do STD tests take?" You also know how to spot the signs and symptoms of STDs, and when you should seek a doctor's help.
Getting regularly tested and being safe can easily prevent STDs. So, educate yourself and be aware of the information regarding safe sex.
Your body is a temple, and you must do the best you can to protect it from anything that may cause it harm.