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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:

• Specks of Blood In Your Stool – Any amount of blood in the stool may indicate a serious health issue that should be reported to a physician immediately. Sometimes the stool might appear darkish in color or even black if it contains blood in it. It is important to note such an occurrence and seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
• Any Modification In Bowel Pattern – Most people have a set bowel movement pattern. If there are any sudden alterations in bowel habits like passing stools that are more tapered in shape than before, it could mean that there is a colonic growth that is perpetrating these changes.
• Abdominal Pain – Pain in the abdominal region that lasts for an extended period is a sign that is neither hard to catch nor should it be ignored. Reporting chronic abdominal distress to a physician immediately is a step towards identifying colon cancer at an early stage.
• Low Hemoglobin Count – An onset of anemia as a result of lowered hemoglobin levels can be a warning sign too especially if you have not had anemia before.
• Unintentional Loss Of Weight – Although most people look forward to seeing the weighing scale show a lower reading than before, if such an event occurs in the absence of proactive measures like increased physical exercise or diet control, then it is a cause for concern.

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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