Intestinal Cancer Symptoms

Intestinal Cancer (also known as Bowel Cancer or Colorectal Cancer) is a cancer that often can be identified in the initial stages, when it is most likely to be cured with proper treatment. There are also some precautions to take to reduce the risk.

The intestine (bowel) is the longest part of digestive system and consists of two sections:

1. the small intestine, where food is absorbed;
2. the large intestine, where salts and water are absorbed.

The large intestine consists of two parts: the colon and the rectum.

Bowel cancer is a cancerous growth which generally begins in the wall of the large intestine, where it can grow slowly before it spreads to other parts of the body (metastasis).
For this reason the chances of cure are higher if it’s diagnosed early. In fact, if it’s identified in the initial stages, it can be cured in 90% of cases.

Risk Factors

Intestinal cancer can occur at any age, but the risk is higher if you are over fifty years. The risk of bowel cancer also increases if:

- your diet is unhealthy, particularly characterized by a high consumption of animal fat and protein and low in fiber;
- your family has a strong predisposition to bowel cancer;
- you suffer from obesity;
- you don’t do enough physical activity;
- you have suffered from severe inflammation of the intestinal mucosa for more than eight years.

If the factors above are applicable to your case, you should ask your doctor to see if you are at risk.