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The colon is the part of the digestive system where the waste material is stored. The rectum is the end of the colon adjacent to the anus. Together, they form a long, muscular tube called the large intestine (also known as the large bowel). Tumors of the colon and rectum are growths arising from the inner wall of the large intestine. Benign tumors of the large intestine are called polyps. Malignant tumors of the large intestine are called cancers. Benign polyps do not invade nearby tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Benign polyps can be easily removed during colonoscopy and are not life-threatening. If benign polyps are not removed from the large intestine, they can become malignant (cancerous) over time.

Colon cancer is the term commonly used to describe colo-rectal (or bowel) cancer. The colon is part of the intestines. These consist of the small intestine (the section between the stomach and the appendix) and the large intestine (from the appendix to the anus). The large intestine is divided into the long colon and a short rectum, just before the anus. Two thirds of these cancers occur in the colon and one third in the rectum, with very few in the small intestine.

The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus, twisting and turning through your abdomen (belly). Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last 6 inches of the colon. Together, they’re often referred to as colorectal cancers. About 112,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer annually, and about 41,000 new cases of rectal cancer are diagnosed each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Constipation, having a bowel movement less than three times a week, can be your body’s way of suggesting that you make some minor adjustments in diet or exercise. However, constipation can also be a symptom of a colon cancer. In the beginning of the colon, waste material is slushy and can easily maneuver around anything that gets in its way. But as it nears the end of the colon, stool solidifies and is less forgiving of obstacles.

The impact of environment on colon cancer risk isn’t very clear. But, you can use what exists to make informed health decisions. For example, if you’re an American asbestos employee who works the late shift and lives in a house of smokers, well, you might want to make colon cancer screening a priority. Few people will actually fit that description, but you get the idea. If you think you’re in an environment that may increase your risk of developing colon cancer, please talk to your doctor about it.

Abdominal Pain: Swelling and pain of the abdomen are also symptoms of colon cancer. This usually occurs when the intestine is blocked by a tumor. If the tumor grows large, then nausea and vomiting can occur.

Blood in your stool may be a sign of cancer, but it can also indicate other conditions. Bright red blood you notice on bathroom tissue more commonly comes from hemorrhoids or minor tears (fissures) in your anus, for example. In addition, certain foods, such as beets or red licorice, can turn your stools red. Iron supplements and some anti-diarrheal medications may make stools black. Still, it’s best to have any sign of blood or change in your stools checked promptly by your doctor because it can be a sign of something more serious

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or bowel cancer, is a cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. The cancer is most curable when detected before the development of the symptoms or during early symptoms. One of the important colon cancer early symptoms is rectal bleeding. But unfortunately, most people mistakenly consider the bleeding as hemorrhoids and avoid consulting a doctor.

Bowel movements can result in bleeding. Even then, there may not be any major discharge of blood and bleeding will be occasional. Dried blood in the stool indicates tumor in colon and normal blood is an indication of tumor in rectum. Blood in the stool can also be due to several other reasons. Constant loss of blood can lead to anemia. Instead of becoming a self-appointed doctor, it is better to have a proper screening done.

Most of the colon cancer early symptoms may go unnoticed as they do not cause severe discomfort or might be considered as other ailments. Narrow stools, for a prolonged period of time, are an indication of some sort of growth in the colon or rectum. The narrowing results as the waste material tries to navigate through the tumor.

When there is a growth happening in the colon, it will be reflected in your bowel movement. The cancerous growth hampers the smooth movement of the bowels. This can result in constipation. In a prolonged situation of constipation, you should consult a doctor. Bloating and cramping resulting from constipation are the other symptoms.

Another colon cancer early symptom is nausea and vomiting without any reason. In fact, obstruction caused by tumor can trigger periodic episodes of nausea and vomiting. Flatulence and other disorders caused by gas can be due to the obstruction created by the cancerous growth. A tumor in the rectum causes a feeling of unfinished defecation. Persistent occurrence of such a feeling indicates the presence of a tumor which is mistaken by the body as stool.

Apart from the symptoms related to bowel movement, yet another early symptom of colon cancer is weight loss, which is not attributed to any particular reason like diet or exercise. Such a weight loss is a clear sign that the body is undergoing some serious changes. The tumor might be hampering with the capacity of the colon to absorb moisture from food residues.

Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness. Most people are likely to ignore these colon cancer early symptoms as natural occurrences associated with the tough modern daily routine.

Colon cancer early symptoms are likely to be ignored by most of the people. When there is a constant disturbance in bowel movement, it is wise to take the advice of a doctor. Those with family history of colon cancer and people above the age of 50 should get colon examination done periodically.

Symptoms of colon cancer do not appear in all the patients when the disease is in an early stage but only after it has advanced in gravity. This is why doctors recommend that after a certain age people should ask for screenings regularly.

Colorectal cancer can give a lot of symptoms but they all match other diseases too like: inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. All these diseases can be treated but they first must be diagnosed in order to apply a right treatment.

Patients come at the hospital because they are constipated, or have diarrhea for more than a week. Sometimes people observe that their stool is much thinner than before and that it comes with blood. They might be feeling abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating. Most of the patients loose a lot of weight in a short period of time and they feel that they have not defecated sufficiently.

Cancer determines cells to divide in an uncontrollable way. Generally the cells of the body divide only when needed, like when they grow old and other cells need to be produced in order to replace them or when they are in a small amount and the body needs more of them. Because the cells are produced in an increased number, a mass of unknown tissue will form, known as a tumor (this tumor can be benign or malign). Doctors believe that this type of cancer is developing from polyps situated in the large intestine. These polyps are considered to be benign but left untreated for years they can transform in malign tumors.

There are several types of polyps: adenomas, which can become cancerous but are easily removed during a colonoscopy; inflammatory polyps which appear after an ulcerative colitis and can also become cancerous and hyperplasic polyps which rarely transform into cancer.

If the cancer passes to a next stage it can affect the local lymph nodes and then get into the blood stream and affect other organs giving metastases.

The colorectal cancer can affect old people as well as young people but most of the cases are recorded at those aged over 50. There are several factors that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer: those who have a family history of colon cancer or other type of cancer is at risk; those who drink alcohol and follow an improper diet can develop this disease. Also, people who suffer of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, and familial adenomatous polyposis are exposed at a greater risk than others. There is a type of nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome which also occurs in the same family members but now people who are at risk can be identified through genetic screening.

Those who have adopted western diets, are obese, are smoking and also follow a diet that is rich in proteins and fats and low in fiber are at risk to develop colorectal cancer.

For greater resources on colon cancer or especially about colon cancer symptoms please visit this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com/colon-cancer-symptoms.htm