6. Colon and Rectal Cancers
This disease usually affects older adults, though there are younger people who get diagnosed too. It usually starts as small, benign clumps of cells known as polyps that grow on the inside of the colon. Some of these polyps may eventually turn into cancerous tissues.
Signs include changes in your bowel habits (such as narrow stools, diarrhea, or constipation) that last for more than a few days; weakness and exhaustion; losing weight without trying; pressure in your abdomen or rectum (it may feel like you need to have a bowel movement); pain in your gut that may go away or come back but lasts for more than a few days; blood in your stool (which may look black or dark red); bleeding in your rectum (this may look like bright red blood on toilet paper).
This disease doesn’t always cause symptoms until it’s advanced. Keep in mind that the signs mentioned above can also be related to other health issues, such as irritable bowel syndrome or hemorrhoids. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these issues.
