Cancerous growths that develop in the colon are not just excruciatingly painful but also life-threatening. Read further to learn more about this disease and how you can detect it early to increase your chances of recovery.
The third most common form of cancer in the United States, carcinoma of the colon affects 1 out of 20 people. What starts out as a minuscule polyp in the colon, converts into a full-fledged malignant growth over the course of roughly 5 to 10 years. During this period the cancer cells remain contained in the polyp and do not infiltrate other parts of the colon. The good news is that if you know what signs to look out for and are willing to get screened if you are over 45 years of age, then your probability of beating the carcinoma increases dramatically.
Here is a list of signals that you should always look out for and report immediately to your physician:
While being aware of the symptoms that could point towards colonic carcinoma is a good start, the unfortunate truth about this condition is that very often it does not present any signs till it is at an advanced stage. Therefore, if you are over 45 years of age and have a family history of colon cancer, then getting yourself screened periodically is a better way of ensuring that you catch cancer at an early stage. Multiple screening techniques are available for colorectal cancer today. Talk to your physician to find out which one suits you the best and how frequently you should get it done.
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