The recatla cancer does not show any incipient signs of the disease, but only manifests in the last two stages, when the cancer is already spreading. That is why it is very important to have colonoscopies and rectal screening if you have a family history of rectal or colone cancer or when you feel uncomfortable and realize it's something wrong inside your body. Rectal cancer appears fisrt as a growth in the rectum, also called a polyp. It can develop into a cancer tumour and increase its size until affecting the organ in a negative way.
The first symptoms of rectal cancer can also be associated with other conditions, that is why this diagnosis is pretty difficult to establish. Only when the patient associates two or more of these symptoms does he go to the doctor. However, people should have a medical checkup the moment they suspect something and not wait until it's too late and the cancer has already spread to other organs where it's a lot more difficult to remove and treat appropriately with good results.
Because the polyps or tumours interact with the stool when it moves towards the exit, it is possible that they may be hurt, so there may be a blood trace in the stool. This is the first sign of rectal cancer, one of the typical symptoms, but it is often overlooked as it can also be caused by hemorhoids or anal fisures.
In time, this bleeding can lead to anemia and weakness, permanent tiredness, also a typical symptom if associated with some others. Then the tumour in the rectum can enlarge and reduce the space in the rectum, so the stool will have to reduce its width in order to reach the exit. So very thin stool, pencil like, is also a common sign of rectal cancer.
Then there are all kinds of modifications in the functioning of your intestines and you may experience symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal disconfort (gas in the bowels) and strong cramps. The patient has the feeling that his boewls are never empty, that he is constantly full, even if he has recently defecated. Because all the changes in the intestinal habit are not beneficial, sometimes the patients might experience vomiting or even an unexplained and sudden weight loss.
Do not ignore these symptoms, even if you may relate tehm to other diseases. Just go to the doctor and signal any discomfort or change of habit or unusual thing happening in your body because this survival instinct may actually save your life. Even if it's not colon or rectal cancer, you may discover another condition and cure it before it does further damages. So go to the doctors at the first sign that something is wrong because that's why they are there: to help and consult you.