Different Kinds Of Fobt
There are two main types of FOBT:
Guaiac Smear Test
- Collect three different samples from separate bowel movements
- Swab the stool and store it in the given container. Ensure that it doesnt get in contact with urine or water
- Label your samples, as per the instruction
- Submit your results for testing
Fecal Immunochemical Test
- Collect three different samples from separate bowel movements
- A special device will be included in your kit. Use this to collect the sample
- Swab the sample onto a test card, or any container provided on your kit
- Label your samples, as per the instruction
- Submit your results for testing
Remember: Early detection is the best way to fight colon cancer.
Get screened for colon polyps today.
Persistent Nausea And Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can be a sign of colon cancer, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine: “Nausea and vomiting can occur if a colon or rectal tumor is obstructing the bowel and inhibiting the passage of liquid or solid waste or gas. Bowel blockage can also be accompanied by painful abdominal cramps, bloating and constipation If you experience persistent nausea, signs of dehydration or vomiting that lasts for more than 24 hours, seek immediate medical treatment.”
Significance And Possible Application
Discoveries like this are pivotal because they allow for earlier detection and treatment. When it comes to most types of cancer, early detection is the key to treating it successfully.
Patients diagnosed with a localized stage colon cancer have a 90% chance of survival within five years . That drops to 71% after cancer has spread to neighboring organs and systems. It drops to 14% once it spreads to farther parts of the body.
With technology this accurate, doctors can gain a better insight into the development of colon cancer. More importantly, colon cancer mortality rates will drop significantly in the future, thanks to the possibility of early detection.
For patients, this translates to more affordable and comfortable methods of screening. As lead author doctor Wen-Sy Tsai notes, There is still some reticence among patients to use stool-based tests or have an invasive exam like colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer. Our results may point to a solution.
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What Can I Do About Fatigue With Colorectal Cancer
The best way to combat fatigue while also battling colorectal cancer is to treat the underlying medical cause. Unfortunately, the exact cause is often unknown, or there may be multiple causes.
There are some treatments that may help improve fatigue caused by an under-active thyroid or anemia. Other causes of fatigue must be managed on an individual basis. The following guidelines should help you combat fatigue.
Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Symptoms
Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer may not always notice symptoms before a diagnosis. Metastatic colorectal cancer symptoms may depend on the size of the tumor or tumors and where the cancer has spread outside the colon or rectum. For instance:
If the bones are affected, symptoms may include pain, fractures, constipation and/or high calcium levels.
If the lungs are affected, symptoms may include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, coughing, pain and/or fatigue.
If the liver is affected, symptoms may include nausea, fatigue, swelling of the feet and hands, increased abdominal girth and/or jaundice.
If the lymph nodes of the abdomen are affected, it may cause bloating, a swollen belly and/or loss of appetite.
If the brain and/or spinal cord are affected, symptoms may include pain, confusion, memory loss, headache, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking and/or seizures.
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Bright Red Blood: A Sign Of Colon Cancer
Blood in the stool is commonly a sign of hemorrhoids, not colon cancer. As the stool passes along, the swollen tissue may obstruct the stool, causing the hemorrhoid to rupture and bleed. The blood is usually bright red in color and watery in consistency.
On the other hand, bleeding from colon cancer is typically described as darker in appearance. Stool ranging from maroon to tar-like can be a sign of colon abnormalities. This is because the blood is produced higher up in the colon and is less fresh than one from a hemorrhoid rupture.
Again, its impossible to accurately diagnose colon cancer from the color of the stool alone. We recommend a proper examination to really understand your state of health.
The Link Between Colon Cancer And Weakness And Fatigue
Colon cancer is one of the top three most diagnosed cancers in the United States, and one of the most treatable cancers when caught in time, which is why regular screening is vital.
At Texas Surgical Care in Kingwood, Texas, Dr. Ronald Ambe provides colon cancer screenings and works with oncologists to support treatment for colon cancer when necessary. He also performs robotic surgery to remove colon cancer, using the da Vincii® surgical system.
If you have colon cancer, you should be aware that you may experience significant weakness and fatigue. Dr. Ambe is here to support you through this common side effect as well.
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Cancer Symptoms In Women
Breast lump or change. Although it’s a hallmark symptom of breast cancer, most lumps aren’t cancer. They’re often fluid-filled cysts or noncancerous tumors.
Still, see your doctor right away if you find any new or changing growths in your breasts, just to make sure.
Also get these changes checked out:
- Redness or scaling of the skin over the breast
- Breast pain
- Lump under your arm
- Fluid that isn’t breast milk leaking from the nipple
Bleeding between periods or after menopause. Bleeding from the vagina during women’s reproductive years is usually theirà monthly period. When it happens after menopause or outside of normal periods, cervical or endometrial cancer is a possibility. Call your doctor if you have any bleeding that’s unusual for you.
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Managing Colon Cancer And Potential Pain
When we talk about managing colon cancer, we need to consider more than the basic treatment options. Managing colon cancer should include:
- Treatments for the cancer
- Pain management strategies
- Mental health and well being
Treatment for colon cancer will depend on the individual and on the stage of the cancer.
- In localized colon cancer, doctors are likely to recommend localized treatments such as, surgery, ablation, and radiation.
- In regional colon cancer, doctors often recommend surgery, with the potential use of adjuvant chemotherapy, depending on the individual. In some more advanced cases of regional cancer, the tumor is too large to remove by surgery. In this case, radiation may first be used to shrink the tumor, before surgically removing the cancer.
- In distance colon cancer, chemotherapy is nearly always recommended. In distance colon cancer, the cancer often spreads to the liver or lungs. If the spread is not too great, surgery may still be used. Ablation or embolization may also be used.
The treatments for colon cancer, can cause their own symptoms, a primary one being pain, explains Dr. Ali.
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How Can I Manage My Stress While I Have Colorectal Cancer
Managing stress can play an important role in combating the fatigue that be an effect of colorectal cancer. Here are some suggestions that may help:
If your stress seems out of control, talk to a health care professional.
When To See A Doctor
In most cases, digestive symptoms do not indicate cancer. However, if the symptoms are unusual, appear more regularly, or steadily get worse, it is best to see a doctor as there is no other way to diagnose these issues.
Even if the underlying cause is not colon cancer, the doctor may be able to identify and diagnose a separate disorder for which they can recommend treatment.
Many people with colon cancer do not show any early symptoms so experiencing symptoms can be a sign that the cancer is growing or spreading. The
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So When Should I Get Checked
If you have noticed any of the signs above, then you should consider visiting your doctor for a check up.
If you have not had any symptoms, it is still a good idea to get a check up. Doctors will recommend routine colon cancer screenings after the age of 50, but individuals with a family history of colon cancer should speak to their doctor about starting screenings earlier. In fact, if you have one first-degree relative with colorectal cancer, your risk of colorectal cancer doubles.
The test type and test frequency will depend on the patient in addition to the patients age, family history, and other factors. Talk to your doctor or contact one of our colorectal specialists about getting screened to find out what is right for you.
Colon Cancer And White Blood Cell Count
White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and are easily detectable in blood tests. A specific type of white blood cell called the neutrophil is responsible for warding off infections and destroying harmful cells.
The normal neutrophil count is 1,000/1 microliter. A deficiency in neutrophils is called neutropenia. This is caused by severe infections that are too invasive.
On the other hand, neutrophil production can also be stalled by the presence of cancer. Cancer treatments can also affect neutrophil count due to radiation exposure. Keeping track of your neutrophil count can help you understand how your body works.
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Feeling Bloated Or A Feeling Of Discomfort Or Persistent Urge To Have A Bowel Movement
The constant feeling that you need to have a bowel movement and the feeling is not relieved by having one could indicate changes in your colon preventing a complete bowel evacuation or the feeling of stool remaining even if the bowel is empty. Contact your physician to be evaluated and determine the cause.
Unexplained Weight Loss Loss Of Appetite And Feeling Weak
Losing weight, losing your appetite or feeling weak are all possible signs of colon or rectal cancer along with many other unrelated conditions. In patients with colon or rectal cancer, these symptoms are usually related. Persistent diarrhea can cause weight loss. Stomach pain and nausea can reduce your appetite so that you dont consume enough food to maintain your weight. All these issues, as well as anemia, can lead to weakness.
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How Does Nutrition Impact Fatigue With Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer-related fatigue is often made worse if you are not eating enough or if you are not eating the right foods. Maintaining good nutrition can help you feel better and have more energy. The following are strategies to help improve nutritional intake:
When Should I Call The Doctor
Although cancer-related fatigue is a common and often expected side effect of colorectal cancer and its treatments, you should feel free to mention your concerns to your doctors. There are times when fatigue may be a clue to an underlying medical problem. Other times, there may be treatments to help control some of the causes of fatigue.
Finally, there may be suggestions that are more specific to your situation that would help in combating your fatigue. Be sure to let your doctor or nurse know if you have:
- Increased shortness of breath with minimal exertion
- Uncontrolled pain
- Inability to control side effects from treatments
- Uncontrollable anxiety or nervousness
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Your Healthcare Team Will Continue To Look For Patterns Of Fatigue
A fatigue assessment is repeated to see if there is a pattern for when fatigue starts or becomes worse. The same method of measuring fatigue is used at each assessment. This helps show changes in fatigue over time. The healthcare team will check for other causes of fatigue that can be treated. See the Causes of Cancer Fatigue section.
Systemic Symptoms Of Colorectal Cancer
Systemic colorectal cancer symptoms may impact more than the digestive tract and affect your entire body. Common systemic symptoms of colorectal cancer at all stages include:
- Unexplained loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain, bloating or cramps
- A persistent feeling that you cannot completely empty your bowels
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Is Fatigue A Sign Of Cancer
Fatigue may develop as a symptom of blood cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, because these cancers start in the bone marrow, which produces red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body.
Fatigue may also be a symptom of undiagnosed metastatic cancer . This is more common in cancers that arent typically caught early, such as lung cancer or ovarian cancer.
Its uncommon for fatigue to be the only symptom of undiagnosed cancer. A more concerning scenario develops when patients experience both fatigue and pain in one area thats getting progressively worse, along with unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.
However, these symptoms may also be caused by an infection or another medical condition, such as anemia, depression, thyroid dysfunction, vitamin deficiency or sleep apnea, to name a few possibilities.
If a patient came to me complaining primarily of fatigue, my first thoughteven as an oncologistprobably wouldnt be cancer.
There may not be a simple answer behind whats causing your fatigue, and discovering the root cause often takes some digging, along with some trial and error with various therapeutic approaches.
Bowel Cancer: Signs And Symptoms To Look Out For
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Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers to be diagnosed in the UK. You should consider speaking to a doctor if you notice that you’re feeling more run down than normal, without any obvious explanation.
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Are Bleeding Polyps Cancerous
While there is no direct causation between bleeding polyps and developing colon cancer, we can safely say that bleeding polyps usually occur amongst larger polyps, and larger polyps are more likely to become cancerous.
If you believe that blood in your stool or your abdominal pain may be connected to bleeding polyps, then it is best to see your doctor for a colonoscopy.
Do Colon Cancer Patients Always Experience Bleeding
Contrary to popular belief, colon cancer patients dont always experience rectal bleeding. This type of cancer spreads slowly and will not produce symptoms for a long time. Symptoms also vary depending on the location and progression of the disease.
One of the biggest myths surrounding colon cancer is the understanding that patients will inevitably exhibit symptoms. However, Dr. Emina Huang from the University of Michigan Medical School affirms that the most common symptom is no symptoms at all.
This is why tests like the fecal occult blood test exist. It is precisely because not all bleeding is visible to the naked eye. Tests like these look for subtle but significant signs of abnormality in your colon and liver, which can help identify colon cancer at its very early stages.
As discussed above, rectal bleeding may very well be symptomatic of other problems in your gastrointestinal system. Either way, we recommend getting screened in order to eliminate the possibilities of colon cancer.
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Cancer Symptoms In Men
Blood in urine or semen. A pink, brown, or red tinge to your pee or semen is usually nothing to panic over. Infections, kidney stones, injuries, and noncancerous prostate growth can all cause bleeding.
Less often, bladder or prostate cancer might be to blame. Your doctor can do urine tests and other exams to find the source of the blood.
Lump in the testicle. A painless one is a possible warning sign of testicular cancer. Yet the bump could also be from an injury, fluid buildup, or a hernia. It’s hard to tell the cause from your symptoms alone, so go to your doctor for an exam.
Pain during ejaculation or urination. If it hurts when you pee or have an orgasm, you may have an infection or swelling of your prostate gland or urethra. There’s a chance that these symptoms might be because of prostate cancer. If the pain doesn’t improve, have your doctor take a look.
