What are warning signs of colorectal cancer?
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Ask Accordia
Emily Mims, CRNP
Ask Accordia: A friend of our family has been diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. They are young and appear healthy by all accounts until the cancer diagnosis. We are all struggling to understand how this happened. What are the warning signs? Can colorectal cancer be prevented?
The National Institute of Health says yes, you can prevent colorectal cancer. It often begins as a polyp growth inside the colon or rectum. It is the third leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. Finding and removing polyps can prevent colorectal cancer.
It is a disease in which cancer cells form in the colon or the rectum tissues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the following are signs of colorectal cancer:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.
- Losing weight, and you don’t know why.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, give Accordia Health a call. They may be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know what is causing them is to see a doctor. Accordia Health offers colorectal cancer screenings. We can also help you cope with seeing your friend fight this disease. Accordia Health provides whole person care. Our providers can take care of your physical and mental health.
To schedule an appointment with one of our providers, you can reach us at 256-377-8008. You can find us at 9518 U.S. Highway 231 in Rockford, Alabama 35136.
Accordia Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center. Accordia accepts all patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay, and offers a wide variety of services through a sliding fee discount program based on family size and income. We also accept Medicare, Medicaid, ALL Kids, and most private insurance.