Colorectal Cancer Symptom: Swelling In This Body Part Could Be A Warning Sign

With more than 145,600 American adults diagnosed, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S affecting both sexes. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. Noticing early signs and symptoms of this condition is important to get treated at the earliest.

Abdominal swelling can be an indication of colorectal cancer. When colorectal cancer spreads to the liver, it can lead to symptoms including nausea, fatigue, swelling of the limbs, and abdomen. One might also experience increased abdominal girth, jaundice, bloating and loss of appetite.

Other symptoms of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits such as constipation, diarrhea, narrowing of the stool, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, abdominal cramping, weakness, fatigue, and unintended weight loss.

Colorectal cancer can sometimes bleed into the digestive tract and the blood can be noticed in the stool, which might give it a darker look. Over time, blood loss can also lead to anemia. The first sign of colorectal cancer can be a blood test that shows a low blood count.

However, many of these symptoms might also be caused by health conditions other than colorectal cancer including infections, hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome, the American Cancer Society said. If, in case, you are experiencing any of these above-mentioned symptoms, it is important to discuss it with your doctor to rule out any complications and get treated at the earliest.

The risk factors of colorectal cancer include older age, a certain ethnicity such as the African-American race, personal history of polyps, low-fiber high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle and inherited syndromes.

Treatment plans for colorectal cancer include a combination of surgical procedures, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which can help slow down the spread of the disease and temporarily shrink a cancerous tumor.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all individuals at age 45 get screened for colorectal cancer. It can be done via a sensitive test that looks for signs of cancer in an individual’s stool or via a test that examines the colon and rectum. Older adults aged 75 and above, who are in good health and a life expectancy of more than a decade, are advised to get regular colorectal cancer screening.