Your health should always be your priority, and the modern world has made it much easier to do just that. Screening and testing are now widely available for many in the UK, bringing health and knowledge to many homes and patients. One of the most common post options is a colon cancer test. These detect early symptoms and inform each household about colon cancer and its risks. If you are curious about early detection and how it can enhance your well-being and outlook, then take a look below!
Is colon cancer a problem?
This is a great question to start with, of course. Colon cancer is a problem, and it is also a very serious disease that is often underrecognised. In the UK, colon cancer is one of the most common undiagnosed types of cancer.
When it is diagnosed, 9 out of 10 people, statistically, are over the age of 60. As the population ages, more and more UK residents are susceptible to colon cancer, and many do not even know that they are at risk or might have cancer in its early stages.
The basics of colon cancer
Colon cancer is a widely recognised term, but it is also known as bowel or rectal cancer. It is cancer of the colon, but it can also involve the rectum, bowel, and surrounding areas. This is why colon cancer is the general term -- it covers a little bit of everything! Another term for it is colorectal cancer, which is the formal terminology.
As mentioned above, colon cancer risk increases with age, and its symptoms are easy to confuse with other life symptoms. This makes a colon cancer test increasingly vital as you pass each birthday.
In its early stages, colon cancer is treatable, and patients can have an excellent quality of life and recovery. Early detection through proper, regular testing is the best way to make treatment and recovery from colon cancer as easy as possible.
Colon cancer symptoms
Part of the concern about the lack of recognition for colon cancer is that its symptoms are hard to isolate from other life-related issues, as mentioned above. Three main symptoms can alert most people to a problem. Those include:
- Bloody stools
- Loose stools (diarrhaea)
- Stomach pain
Since all of these are easy to overlook or assume are connected to some other regular issue (such as a food intolerance or food poisoning), it’s much more common to overlook colon cancer symptoms than most think!
The importance of colon cancer testing
This leads to the conclusion, then, that colon cancer testing is even more important than ever. Between subtle symptoms and the cancer likelihood increasing as you age, it’s our responsibility to do what we can to stay on top of our health.
Most seniors are screened for colon cancer every two years, which is excellent. However, colon cancer can develop undetected within those two years between tests. So, if you have symptoms of colon cancer or a family history of colon cancer, it’s a good idea to consider a colon cancer test that you can do between your GP-recommended tests.
The peace of mind it brings is one huge benefit, but so are the test results. If the test results say your sample is normal, you can wait until your next test. If they come up as abnormal, you will have a headstart to talk to your GP about further testing and possible diagnosis. Early-stage cancer detection is linked to successful treatment and, by extension, higher survival rates.
Your well-being matters
There is no question that taking a colon cancer test (or any cancer test, for that matter) can feel scary. Cancer is such a common problem that has taken many dear ones from us over the years. However, finding out in later stages that you have cancer can make treatment and recovery much harder physically and emotionally.
You can prioritise your well-being just by ordering a test and using the results to determine your next steps. When it comes to advocating for your health, early detection is essential for you to be your best self physically, emotionally, and mentally.
If you have ever wanted a chance to do everything you can to keep your health in check, a colon cancer test is a fantastic tool to add to your kit. Not only will it give you essential information on your terms, but it will also put you in charge of your life. It also helps you use your experience to encourage someone you love to do the same thing. That, perhaps, is the greatest gift of all!