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The Symptoms of colon cancer can be misleading. That’s why it’s best to seek further testing when you have one or all of the following symptoms. Here is what you should look for.
Bloody Stool or Hematochezia
If you have a tumor they often bleed. Not very consistently but you may see some blood in your stool. Depending on where the tumor is located you may see very little or no blood. If the tumor is at the top or beginning of the colon then by the time the blood leaves the body it will be difficult to notice. On the other hand if the tumor is located at the end of the colon or in the rectum you may see bright red new blood. Dark red blood may mean that the blood is older and the tumor is deeper in the colon.
Stomach Cramps
Some tumors pick just the right spot to cause the most trouble. When this happens your bowels may not be able to function properly. If the blockage is sever liquids, solids and possibly gases will not be able to pass into the colon. This will eventually cause cramps in the abdominal area. If the blood is restricted to the colon then the abdominal pain can be sever. Also if the tumor has grown through the bowel wall the pain can be excruciating and you should seek medical attention immediately.
Constipation
I was very surprised to learn in my research.  That having a bowel movement less than three times a week is an indicator of constipation.  Some health experts indicate that individuals should have a bowel movement after every meal.  This would indicate that most of us fall somewhere in the middle.  A tumor located at the end of the colon would make it difficult for waste to pass by. This would soon cause constipation.
Sudden Unexplained Weight Loss
Most of us encourage weight loss, however a tumor can release chemicals that increase your metabolism.  This symptom can actually be the most dangerous. Due to the fact that we try to lose weight we do not see the weight-loss as the serious medical condition that it sometimes is.
Tired All The Time
A tumor at the beginning of the colon can get very large. Since this area is fairly large a tumor could go unnoticed. A large tumor could bleed excessively and the blood would dry up before leaving the body.  The bleeding would go unnoticed but the amount of blood loss could cause an iron deficiency anemia. An iron deficiency anemia is a condition that can cause you to feel lethargic or tired all the time.
Gas or Bloated Feeling
Consistent gas or bloating could be a result of consistent blockage caused by a tumor growing in the colon.  The blockage could cause air to be trapped and create a bloated feeling.  If your bowel is blocked and the air is trapped the air will find a release and you will have gas.
I have to go all the time!
A tumor located at the end of the colon or in the rectum can result in a feeling of having to go all the time that cannot be relieved. The body recognizes that waste is located close to the rectum and tries to eliminate it in a bowel movement.  The body cannot tell the difference between an attached tumor and waste that needs to leave the body.
Can you really tell?
Even if you have all of these symptoms that doesn’t mean you have colon cancer. It does mean you need to go see your doctor. The above symptoms can indicate many things.  A tumor can change and grow over many years in your system and not provide any symptoms.  Everyone’s body reacts differently to the presence of a tumor.  That is why symptoms alone cannot provide definite indications of the exact health problem.  Regular screenings starting at the age of 50 are the only effective way to prevent undetected tumors in the colon.  A healthy active lifestyle is our best defense.

The dreaded colonoscopy.  Just the words make people cringe. The build up and the preparation are worse than the procedure.  At least your drugged for the procedure.

Since you’re drugged you will need someone to drive you have after it’s over. It will also help keep your mind off of what’s to come. Dwelling on it will only make you nervous.

So in the beginning you will have to start on a liquid diet. This could last from one to three days depending on your doctors instructions.   What is a liquid diet? You ask, you can only drink things like fat-free bouillon or broth, water, diet soda, plain coffee, strained fruit juice, or plain tea.  No sugar, No fat and nothing solid.  Not even fruit skin.

The worst part of it is if you cheat on the diet they may not be able to complete the colonoscopy and have to do it over.  If that doesn’t keep you honest about what you eat nothing will. Do over is not a word you want to hear in the proctologist’s office. Not to mention the health risks involved in not following the doctors orders.

Then the night before you have to take a laxative to further cleans your intestines. Now you may be ready to the day of procedure.  At least now you’re so hungry your ready to get it over with so you can go eat some junk food again.

The day of procedure you will have an IV put in (sorry if your scared of needles) and given more sedatives and fluids to help you relax. You will also have patches applied to your chest arms and legs to monitor your heart rate. Then an automatic blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm and you will put your finger in that clothes pin contraption that monitors the oxygen level in your blood.

It’s almost over and I hope your results are great.  Good luck.