As noted by oncologist J. Ben Wilkinson, a big misconception about colon cancer is that people don’t feel the need to get tested if they’re under 50 and don’t have warning signs. However, it should be noted that the common pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, with which most types of bowel cancer begin, is associated with the appearance of so-called polyps. They form in the large intestine and rectum, much less often they appear in the small intestine. Its appearance causes, among other things, malnutrition: an excess of fried, spicy and fatty foods in the diet. Colonoscopy helps identify polyps, which can later transform into cancer, in a timely manner.
“Many people believe that colonoscopy is unsafe and associated with risks. But modern technology refutes this: the vast majority of people do it right. I repeat that a timely colonoscopy can literally save your life if polyps are found and removed before they become something — worse. That’s what’s at stake,” said surgeon Jeffrey Nelson, MD, in an interview with Eatthis.com.
As the specialist noted, the procedure should definitely not be delayed if a person is periodically disturbed by “unexplained” abdominal pain and at the same time weight loss and loss of appetite are noted. Blaming stress, viruses or poor diet is also a big mistake.
“Many patients, as the disease progresses, may begin to experience changes in their normal bowel habits. Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, feeling like they don’t have a bowel movement after a bowel movement,” Nelson explained.
Due to these gradual changes, a person does not suspect that his health is in great danger. Meanwhile, metastases can appear in the body, for example, in the liver or lungs, the doctor warned.
Earlier, American oncologists talked about the most common complaint of patients with suspected cancer, as well as those diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease.
