What Are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer in Females? Topic Guide

High-dose vitamin C may be taken by mouth or given by an intravenous (IV) infusion (through a vein into the bloodstream). When taken by IV infusion, vitamin C can reach higher levels in the blood than when the same amount is taken by mouth. Some studies of IV high-dose vitamin C in patients with cancer have shown improved quality of life, as well as fewer side effects.

Anxiety and distress can affect the quality of life of patients with cancer and their families. Patients living with cancer can feel different levels of distress. There are certain risk factors for serious distress in people with cancer. Screening is done to find out if the patient needs help adjusting to cancer.

Cancer fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Moreover, fatigue can be a symptom of cancer. The fatigue experienced with cancer is different than fatigue experienced by healthy people. People describe it as feeling worn out, heavy, slow, weak, extremely tired, and in pain. In some people, fatigue can last up to a year or more after treatment stops. Doctors do not know exactly how cancer treatments cause fatigue, but they do know what causes it in people who have cancer, or who are undergoing cancer treatment, for example: Chemotherapy Biologic therapy Surgery Radiation Therapy Other cancer drugs Drugs that cause drowsiness Anemia Side effects from diet Loss of appetite Not getting enough nutrients and calories daily Insomnia Hormone fluctuations Respiratory problems Pain Dehydration due to severe vomiting or diarrhea Changes in metabolism Weight loss Loss of muscle strength Lack of physical activity Other health problems Anxiety and depression Stress Fatigue from surgery generally gets better with time, however, it can worsen if surgery is combined with other cancer treatments.Doctors have studied patients with breast and prostate cancer who suffer from fatigue and found that the amount of fatigue experienced, and the time it was felt, varied from patient to patient.Women with breast cancer reported that fatigue was increased by: Having other health problems or advanced cancer Being a younger age Being underweight Problems sleeping Anxiety Depression Having children at home Working while receiving radiation treatment Men with prostate cancer reported that fatigue  increased before radiation therapy started due to depression and/or poor sleep. Talk with your doctor or other health care professional about how to treat and manage your cancer-related fatigue. REFERENCES: Bower, JE, Ph.D. Cancer-related fatigue: Mechanisms, risk factors, and treatments. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2014 Oct; 11(10): 597–609. Published online 2014 Aug 12. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2014.127. Bower, JE, Ph.D. Behavioral symptoms in breast cancer patients and survivors: Fatigue, insomnia, depression, and cognitive disturbance. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Feb 10; 26(5): 768–777. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2007.14.3248 NIH. National Cancer Institute. "Fatigue (PDQ®)-Patient Version. Updated: June 30, 2017. NIH. National Cancer Institute. "Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment." Updated: May 2014. IH. National Cancer Institute. "Fatigue." Updated: Apr 29, 2015. NIH. National Cancer Institute. "Managing Radiation Therapy Side Effects." April 2010.

The small intestine is located between the stomach and the large intestine (colon). It can be affected by several different types of cancerous or malignant tumors: adenocarcinomas, lymphomas, sarcomas, and carcinoid tumors. Treatment includes radiation, chemotherapy and surgery.

Cancer is a common and deadly disease, and it's surrounded by myths. There are certain basics a patient needs to know when they're confronted with a cancer diagnosis; everything from clinical facts and practices to learning how to navigate the health insurance bureaucracy.

The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus. Most colon cancers start as adenomatous polyps that turn into adenocarcinomas. Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is typically diagnosed through a colonoscopy or other type of endoscopic procedures. Treatment methods include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Genetic tests can determine the risk of colon cancer in people who have a history of the disease in their family; there are specific gene mutations researchers have discovered. Unfortunately, this is only helpful to a minority of patients because familial colon cancer comprises only about five percent of colon cancer cases.

Colon cancer and hemorrhoids are different problems that affect the colon, rectum, and anus. Colon cancer is caused by abnormal cells in the colon multiplying, creating cancerous tumors. Hemorrhoids are painful swollen blood vessels and inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue. There are three types of hemorrhoids, internal, external, and thrombosed (ruptured). Hemorrhoids can lead to colon cancer. Similar signs and symptoms of colon cancer and hemorrhoids include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, and feeling as if you haven't finished a bowel movement. Colon cancer symptoms that do not occur with hemorrhoids are unexplained nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Hemorrhoid symptoms that do not occur in colon cancer are pain as the hemorrhoid swells or ruptures, anal itching, and a lump outside of the anus. Colon cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the colon that continue to multiply, which causes cancerous tumors. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels and inflammation near the anus. There are three types of hemorrhoids, internal, external, and ruptured. Hemorrhoids can lead to colon cancer. Both colon cancer and hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, blood mixed in the stool, and the feeling that you have not completed a bowel movement. Colon cancer symptoms that are different from hemorrhoids are abdominal pain, unexplained nausea and vomiting, narrow or ribbon-like stools, and constipation.

Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have common symptoms and signs, for example, constipation, the feeling of still having to go to the bathroom after a bowel movement, and changes in bowel movements. Colon cancer causes rectal bleeding while IBS does not. Other signs and symptoms of colon cancer that do not occur in IBS include anemia due to blood loss, fatigue, pale skin, unexplained weight loss, and rectal pain. Signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome that do not occur with colon cancer include abdominal cramping and pain that is relieved with bowel movements. Alternating periods of constipation (IBS-C) and diarrhea (IBS-D), intestinal gas, passing mucous from the rectum, bloating, and abdominal distension. Many people with IBS have indigestion, however, it is not a symptom of IBS. Colon cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the colon. If these abnormal cells spread through the colon wall the cancer can spread to other areas of the body (metastasize). IBS is a functional disorder of the digestive tract. Irritable bowel syndrome is not contagious and does not cause colon cancer.

Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is cancer that originates from the color or rectum, and is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in the US. Ulcerative colitis or UC is not cancer, but is a disease that causes inflammation, irritation, swelling, and sores on the inner lining of the colon. Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease. Colon cancer and ulcerative colitis have similar signs and symptoms, for example, abdominal/cramping and/or pain, fatigue, anemia due to blood loss, rectal bleeding, frequent loose bowel movements, and fatigue. Ulcerative colitis is a risk factor for getting colon cancer, however, it does not cause cancer. Colon cancer can spread to other organs and areas of the body (metastasize) while ulcerative colitis only occurs in the large intestine. Treatment, cure, and survival rates for colon cancer depends upon the type of cancer, stage, and health of the individual. Ulcerative colitis cannot be cured; however, symptoms and recurrence of the disease can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

Colorectal cancer in children is rare and may result from an inherited syndrome. Colorectal cancer happens when polyps form in the colon or rectum. Symptoms include: abdominal lumps, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, blood in stool, and others. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Most symptoms and signs of cancer may also be explained by harmless conditions, so it's important to limit one's risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening. Common cancer symptoms and signs are a change in bowel habits or urination, persistent cough, blood in the stool, urine, or saliva, lump in the breast or testicle, hoarseness, swollen glands, a change in a wart or mole, unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, and headaches.

Hemorrhoids are a common painful condition that involves swollen veins in the anal region. Hemorrhoid surgery (hemorrhoidectomy), which isn't a painful procedure, is the surgical removal of excess hemorrhoidal tissues that is performed on hemorrhoids that are large, extensive, or severe.

The American Cancer Society recommends healthy adults with no risk factors start screening for colorectal cancer at age 45 up to age 75. Screening between ages 76 through 85 is based on a person’s preferences, life expectancy, overall health, and prior screening history. A colonoscopy is not necessary more than once every 5 to 10 years in people with a low risk of developing colorectal cancer.