Understanding Colon Cancer: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Dr. Vikram Jayanty and Dr. Julien Fahed can help you understand colon cancer in Houston, TX, including symptoms, risk factors, and prevention methods. By doing so, you can reduce your danger and minimize your chances of developing this condition.

Colon Cancer Symptoms

Tracking your potential symptoms is essential to ensure you get the help you need. The tricky thing about this cancer is that many of its warning signs are similar to general stomach discomfort, so take these symptoms very seriously:

• Change in Bowel Habits: If you start “going” more or less frequently (diarrhea or constipation), that could be a very early warning sign of this type of cancer. 
• Rectal Bleeding: Regular or persistent bleeding in your stool could indicate this upsetting cancer type, so make sure you visit a doctor right away to figure out what’s wrong. 
• Physical Changes: Ongoing discomfort in the belly (such as gas, pain, and cramps), a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty fully, weakness, and tiredness may indicate that you have colon cancer.

Risk Factors to Watch 

Like many cancers, colon cancer in Houston, TX, has no apparent triggering cause. Sometimes, it just happens. Here are some risk factors to note:

• Age: Adults over the age of 45 are at a higher risk of developing most types of cancer. The same is true of cancers in your colon. Doctors aren’t sure why but assume older cells mutate more easily.
• Race: For whatever reason, patient studies have found that African American individuals have a higher risk of this cancer than other races. The reasons for this are unclear.
• Personal History: Your risk is higher with a history of colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, Lynch syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis.

Prevention Methods to Take 

Colon cancer is almost completely preventable, with over 90% success. All cancers start out as polyps and 50% or more have them. By removing polyps during colonoscopy, colon cancer is prevented with great success. Cologuard and other tests detect polyps less than 80% of the time, and only colonoscopy can detect and remove polyps over 95%. We only know how to detect and treat other cancers but not how to prevent them. Here we have the 2nd most common cancer-causing death, and it can be prevented with over 90% success

• Lifestyle Changes: Eat healthy fruits, vegetables, and grains, avoid smoking and drinking, get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, and keep your weight under control. 
• Medication Use: Some medicines, such as aspirin or similar treatments, may reduce your risk of colon polyps. Only change your medicine routine if your doctor suggests it.

Reach Out to Us for Help

Call Dr. Jayanty and Dr. Fahed if you need colon cancer support in Houston, TX. Our number is (713) 932-9200, and we look forward to helping you through your prevention and treatment process.