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Inside Look: How Colon Cancer Grows
8 Dec
Summary
- Colon cancer often begins as small, harmless polyps.
- Large polyps can obstruct bowel function and cause pain.
- Early removal of polyps during colonoscopy ensures a cure.
Colon cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms, leading many to misunderstand its early stages. The disease typically begins as small, seemingly harmless polyps within the colon. These growths, if left untreated, can enlarge significantly over several years.
As these polyps increase in size, they can begin to cause problems, including abdominal pain, bleeding, and changes in bowel habits like constipation or increased frequency. The stool struggles to pass, and complete colon emptying becomes difficult.
The crucial good news is that when these polyps are detected early, they are entirely curable. Gastroenterologists can easily remove them during a routine colonoscopy, preventing them from ever progressing to cancer. This simple procedure ensures the colon can return to a healthy state.
