Would You Be Able To Tell If You Had Colon Cancer?
According to the CDC, colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths among White, Black, and Asian women, right behind breast and lung cancer. While the risk is a bit lower for women, this doesn’t mean they’re not affected.
Colon cancer isn’t the most “glamorous” of cancers if you can even call cancer “glamourous.” I mean, it hasn’t been widely celebrated with ribbons and marches. This is probably because it involves a less-than-appealing part of the body.
So, many people run the other way when it comes to awareness and screening, using not-so-sophisticated but appropriate words like “Ewwww” and “gross.” But while no one wants to talk about it, let’s go over some facts!
Colorectal cancer refers to any cancer that begins in the colon or rectum, making up the large intestine in your gastrointestinal tract. Certain growths or polyps can form in your colon or rectum.
Most are undoubtedly benign, but particular types are at a high risk of becoming cancerous. By this, I mean: sessile serrated polyps, adenomatous polyps, and serrated adenomas.
Hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps usually don’t develop into cancer. With all this, there IS a silver lining! Colon cancer, specifically, is one of the most preventable types of cancer if you catch it early.
So, what are the symptoms?…Keep reading to find out some more about the 10 main ones. But first, how much are YOU at risk?
