Colorectal Cancer - Overview
An Overview of Colorectal Cancer
Cancer is type of disease characterized by the prolific, uncontrolled growth of cells (a tumor) in a certain part of the body; the part of the body where the excessive cellular growth takes place is part of what identifies the type of cancer. Colorectal cancer, therefore, is a cancerous growth that begins in colon or rectum; patients may be diagnosed with rectal cancer or colon cancer depending on the tumor’s location. Following a diagnosis, patients in Phoenix seeking colorectal cancer treatment may visit us
What Are the First Signs of Colorectal Cancer?
Cancer may develop in virtually any part of the body as cells begin to multiply without dying according to their natural growth cycle. In the case of colorectal cancer, this abnormal growth can cause patients to experience many different symptoms, such as:
- Blood in the stool
- Rectal bleeding
- Chronic anemia
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unexplained fatigue
- Bloating
These and other symptoms are not in themselves definitive evidence of either rectal or colon cancer. Patients experiencing symptoms should speak with their doctor. Doctors will conduct tests and screenings to gather more information about the patient’s health before a diagnosis is made. In most cases, doctors will discuss a patient’s family health history, including any known cases of colorectal cancers.
The Role of Family Health in Cancer Diagnosis
You might wonder why your doctors discuss the health of your parents and grandparents with you during appointments. This is because many types of cancer have a genetic element that may affect your risk of developing those cancers. However, cancer is a complex category of diseases and there are many different risk factors affecting different people. This is one reason why knowing patient education is so important. Some risk factors are controllable, so learning more about cancer, its prevention, and its diagnosis can be very helpful.
We are a Phoenix cancer center dedicated to helping patients take control of their health by providing surgical treatment solutions and much more. Please contact the Phoenix Cyberknife and Radiation Oncology Center today.