Signs of Colon Cancer

The first signs of colon cancer is usually blood in the stool. If the stool is very black for no reason, it may or may not be a sign of cancer. Blood can come from many factors in the body, but it can be s sign of colon cancer. Bright red blood is less indicative, but blood is always a reason to go see your Internist.

The first test the doctor will perform is to take a fecal sample and check it for blood. If there is blood present, the doctor will schedule a colonoscopy. Many people freak out at the idea of having a colonoscopy. It’s not really as bad as you think.

The American Cancer Society encourages everyone over the age of fifty, should have a colonoscopy for diagnostic reasons. If the doctor finds any problems such as polyps or suspicious tumors, he can get rid of the polyps or biopsy the tumor. Most people come out with a clean bill of health and don’t have to do this procedure for quite a long time unless problems arise.

If the patient presents with pain or blood in the stool, the doctor certainly schedules a colonoscopy as soon as possible because of the colon cancer risk. As with other cancers, early detection is most important.

A colonoscopy is more embarrassing than painful. Actually, it isn’t painful at all. The first step occurs the day before the procedure. At this point you can have no solid food. The good news is you have clear liquids and some Jell-O and clear broths. Then if you aren’t miserable enough, you get to drink a pretty vile liquid to clean you out. And I do mean clean you out.

Word to the wise. Once you start drinking the liquid, don’t get far from the bathroom. When the urge hits, you might have seconds to the bathroom. You get my drift. It only gets worse as the night goes on. Eventually, you will notice that everything coming will be clear liquid.

After the clean-up of your system, it’s time to go to bed. No food or drink until after the colonoscopy. It’s great if the procedure is performed early in the morning. Otherwise you are going to be very hungry and thirsty. You will be given some anesthesia to make the procedure painless. Then you assume the position which is one of the worst parts.

The doctor will fill you full of gas and then put the tube up your rectum and intestines. The doctor will use the small camera to see what is inside. If there problems, the doctor will get rid of polyps and biopsy anything suspicious. After the procedure, you will wake up, find out the results, and be sent home. Obviously, if there are signs of cancer, you are starting the fight of your life. A colonoscopy is a small price to pay for early detection. Don’t put it off any longer.

Copyright 2007 Janice D. Sterling - All Rights Reserved

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