C olon cancer commences in the large intestine of the digestive tract. Often, it starts as small benign cellular clumps (polyps) inside the colon. Polyps may show no symptoms and if not diagnosed may result in colon cancer. Also known as colorectal cancer, colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related fatalities in the country. While the below-mentioned symptoms may indicate colon cancer, other disorders like inflammatory bowel disease or infection may also be the cause of these. Regular screening and being vigilant to prevent polyps from turning cancerous is crucial. Here are some common symptoms of colon cancer: Changes to bowel movements that lasts for several days Intestinal bleeding that reduces the number of healthy red blood cells Inability to empty the bowels  Loss of appetite and sudden and drastic weight loss Feeling cramps in the rectum Pain in the pelvic region Rectal bleeding Tiredness and fatigue that persists even after resting Dark blood patches or fresh blood while passing stools Bloating or discomfort in the belly Stringy, thin, and long pencil stools Persisting discomfort in the abdominal region, such as pain, cramps, or gas Gasping or shortness of breath as the cancer starts draining energy from your body resulting in fatigue Identifying Symptoms In the early stages of colon cancer, there is a possibility that one feels no visible symptoms.

Anemia is a condition wherein one lacks sufficient red blood cells (RBCs) to transport adequate oxygen to tissues. Suffering from this condition may cause tiredness and weakness. Several types of anemia may result from different causes. It may be temporary and symptoms may be mild or severe. Here are the different types of anemia to help you understand the disease better. Iron-deficiency Anemia Hemoglobin present in the RBCs carries oxygen, and to make this protein, your body requires iron. The primary source of iron is the food you consume. But your body may require producing more RBCs during pregnancy, or when going through a growth spurt or loss of blood. In these cases, the body requires more iron and iron-deficiency anemia may result if the body’s requirement is not met. Hemolytic Anemia RBCs survive for 120 days and your body produces new cells to replace the dead ones. At times, the RBCs may not survive their normal span and hemolytic anemia occurs if your body is unable to replace the destroyed cells. Inherited anemia results from disorders with your RBC-controlling genes. Acquired hemolytic anemia occurs when your body destroys healthy and normal red blood cells. Pernicious Anemia To produce healthy RBCs, the body requires vitamin B12 and folate.

If one suffers from Hepatitis C, there may even be no symptoms. The physician may diagnose the disorder only after a regular blood test shows some irregularities with liver enzymes. Initially, the symptoms of Hep C may appear like flu and show up after two to twelve weeks of being exposed to the virus. Here are some common symptoms of Hep C Easy bleeding and bruising Spider-like blood vessels on the skin Fatigue and tiredness Hepatic encephalopathy causing drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech Loss of appetite and drastic weight loss Swelling in the legs Yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin Ascites resulting in fluid build-up in the abdominal region Dark color of urine Rashes and hives Skin itchiness Joint and muscle pain Fever Vomiting and nausea Issues with blood clotting Enlargement of breasts in men Pale stools Coma in some cases if toxin buildup impairs smooth functioning of the brain Chronic hepatitis C always commences as an acute phase, which is often undiagnosed as there are rarely any symptoms. If there are any signs, these may include Muscle pains and aches Nausea Fatigue Fever The symptoms may appear only after one to three months since exposure and may last for up to three months.

Breast cancer diagnoses may result in several questions. The physician will find the stage of cancer using a biopsy, blood tests, physical exams, and bone scans. Knowing the stage of cancer will help the doctor determine treatment. Stages Stages are categorized with zero and Roman numerals followed by an alphabet. Here are the various stages and symptoms of breast cancer: Stage 0 This is an early diagnosis of the disease starting in the milk glands or breast ducts and has not progressed further Stage I From this stage, cancer becomes invasive allowing it to attack healthy tissue: IA This is when cancer spreads to fatty breast tissue; the tumor maybe the size of a shelled peanut or non-existent IB This finds a small number of cancer cells in a few of the lymph nodes Stage II This is the stage when cancer has grown, spread, or both: IIA This is when the tumor is still small or there are no cancer cells in the lymph nodes, or it may have spread to as many as three nodes IIB At this stage, the tumor may have grown to the size of a big lime or walnut and may or not have spread to the lymph nodes Stage III Although the cancer cells have not spread to organs and bones, it is an advanced stage and more difficult to fight:

There are no specific warning signs of prostate cancer, which is why regular screening is important. Since the prostate is close to the urethra and bladder, prostate cancer patients may see urinary symptoms. Some early warning signs of prostate cancer include Painful ejaculation Pain or burning while urinating Erectile dysfunction  Difficulties while urinating Presence of blood in semen Frequent urges to urinate especially during the night Hematuria resulting in the presence of blood in the urine No control on the bladder Lower flow or velocity of the urine stream Leakage while laughing or coughing Unable to urinate while standing Reduction in the amount of fluid ejaculated Pain or pressure on the rectum Stiffness or pain in lower back, thighs, pelvis, or hips The above symptoms may appear when the tumor results in the swelling of the prostate gland or it has spread beyond the prostate. Once cancer has advanced, patients may notice the following symptoms: Problems in the bowel Loss of appetite and weight Dull and deep pain or stiffness in the upper thighs, pelvis, ribs, or lower back or pain in the bones around these areas Paralysis or weakness in the lower limbs often accompanied with constipation Numbness in the hips, feet, or legs Fatigue, vomiting, or nausea Pain in the bones that does not subside or may result in fractures Swelling in the lower extremities Prostate cancer that recurs after treatment is known as recurrent cancer.