What Is Colorectal Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can start anywhere in the body. Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or the rectum. Depending on where it starts, it can be called colon cancer or rectal cancer.

The colon and rectum

The colon and rectum make up the large intestine, which plays a role in the digestive system. The colon comprises most of the large intestine. The parts of the colon are designated by the directions that food travels through it.

• The ascending colon is the first section. The ascending colon starts with a pouch where undigested food comes from the small intestine.
  
• The transverse colon is the next section. It extends from the right side of the body to the left side.
  
• The descending colon is the third section and it travels down on the left side.
  
• The sigmoid colon is the final section. It is called the sigmoid colon because it has an “S” shape. The sigmoid colon joins the rectum, then connects to the anus.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s essential to get checked promptly. In many cases, people who display these issues do not have cancer but you should contact your doctor to find and treat the cause of the symptom.

• Change in bowel patterns. For example, diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days at a time.
  
• Feeling of needing to have a bowel movement that does not go away by having one.
  
• Rectal bleeding with bright red blood.
  
• Blood in the stool, which might make it appear dark brown or black.
  
• Cramping or abdominal pain.
  
• Weakness or fatigue.
  
• Losing weight without trying to lose weight.

It is best to test for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms because often, colorectal cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. Be sure to contact Investigative Clinical Research’s studies center for more information by visiting https://icrmd.com/ or calling 410-224-4887.