What Is Colon Cancer - Symptoms And Causes
By: EjazUlHaqBhat
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Colon cancer is a growth of cells that begins in a part of the large intestine called the colon
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The colon is the first and longest part of the large intestine. The large intestine is the last part of the digestive system, which breaks down food for the body to use
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Colon cancer typically affects older adults, though it can happen at any age. It usually begins as small clumps of cells called polyps that form inside the colon
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Polyps generally aren't cancerous, but some can turn into colon cancers over time
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Many people with colon cancer don't have symptoms at first. When symptoms appear, they'll likely depend on the cancer's size and where it is in the large intestine
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Symptoms of colon cancer can include a change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
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It ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain, a feeling that the bowel doesn't empty all the way during a bowel movement, weakness or tiredness, and losing weight without trying
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According to Mayo Clinic, doctors aren't certain what causes most colon cancer. It happens when cells in the colon develop changes in their DNA
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