3 Colon Cancer Symptoms & When to See Your Doctor, According to an Oncologist

Key Takeaways

• More then 100,000 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer for the first time this year.
• Common symptoms of colon cancer include abdominal pain, fatigue and bloody stool.
• Even if your symptoms seem minor, it’s important to talk to your doctor.

The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 107,320 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer for the first time this year.1 And while colon cancer rates overall have dropped over the decades, early-onset cancer rates are on the rise; colon cancer rates are up 2.4% per year for those younger than 50. 

That’s why for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to know your risk, common symptoms and when to see your doctor. We asked Fox Chase Cancer Center oncologist and gastrointestinal specialist Christopher G. Cann, M.D., for his insights.

“It’s imperative for young adults to focus on improving physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and, most importantly, listening to their bodies when symptoms arise,” he says. Here are the signs that all adults should keep in mind.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

There are three key symptoms of colon cancer you should know, according to Cann. And while some have a more obvious connection to colon cancer than others, all of these symptoms are easy to leave unnoticed. If any of these symptoms describe your health concerns, talk to your doctor.

Abdominal Pain

While occasional stomach pain and cramps can be a normal reaction to food or targeted activity, constant abdominal pain can be a sign of a chronic condition. This can include colon cancer, so it’s important to not write off this symptom if your pain continues or worsens.

Fatigue

Fatigue alone is not a clear sign of colon cancer (or any cancer, for that matter), but it can be a factor if it feels unexplained or if it’s paired with other symptoms. If you feel like you’re always tired, reasons can include lack of sleep, stress, dehydration or nutritional imbalances. But talk to your doctor if your tiredness or weakness is consistent and you’re unsure why.

Bloody Stool

Blood in your stool is a red flag, and it shouldn’t be overlooked. Rectal bleeding is a sign of colon cancer, and it may make your stool look dark brown or black.2 And a change in bowel habits is crucial to note to your doctor, as long-term diarrhea or constipation are also common indicators of colon cancer.

When Should You Talk to Your Doctor?

For signs that feel a bit private, especially when related to bowel movements, it may feel uncomfortable to pay a visit to the doctor. But if you are experiencing any symptoms, the oncologist urges you to contact your health care provider as soon as possible.

“Please discuss your symptoms with your doctor,” Cann emphasizes. “Cancers in young adults are often diagnosed at later stages, making them harder to treat. Therefore, early detection is key to improving survival.”

And even if you only have one symptom, or if none of the above symptoms fully apply but you don’t feel quite right, it is best and safest to talk to your doctor for the most personalized health evaluation and advice.

“If you are concerned about a symptom, no matter how small it may seem, please seek evaluation,” the oncologist says.

The Bottom Line

According to oncologist Christopher G. Cann, M.D., the top three colon cancer symptoms to note are abdominal pain, chronic fatigue and bloody stool. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it’s vital that you talk to your doctor immediately. As the oncologist puts it, “trust your body”—a checkup with your health care provider is never a wrong decision if you’re feeling out of sync.

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Strange signs of low vitamin D: No motivation and mood swings. Doctor lists 11 symptoms body shows during deficiency

Vitamin D, often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin,” plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, yet its importance is frequently underestimated. Many people associate its deficiency only with bone weakness or low immunity, but experts have increasingly found that it influences several major body systems—from mood regulation to hormone balance and cellular function. Dr. Eric Berg, in a YouTube video explained that most individuals fail to recognize the subtle but serious signs of low vitamin D levels.

According to Berg, about 10% of the body’s 25,000 genes are directly influences by Vitamin D. however, he noted that blood tests typically measure only inactive forms of the vitamin, which may not reflect what’s actually happening at the cellular level. This means a person could show normal test results but still be deficient at the tissue level.

Berg also addressed skepticism around vitamin D’s benefits in medical research, pointing out that discussions around its role often face pushback since the nutrient’s therapeutic potential can rival pharmaceutical interventions.

Unusual Symptoms Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency

In his video, Berg listed 11 “bizarre” symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

Head Sweating: Often seen in infants but also in adults, excessive sweating on the scalp can signal low vitamin D levels.

Night Sweats: Persistent sweating during sleep, even in cool temperatures, can also point to deficiency.

Mood Swings: Fluctuating emotions—ranging from irritability to sadness—are linked to how vitamin D influences brain chemistry and mood regulation.

Low Motivation: Reduced drive and procrastination may stem from the brain’s reduced dopamine activity due to vitamin D deficiency.

Panic Attacks: Deficiency may contribute to heightened anxiety and fear, as vitamin D helps regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

Bone and Pelvic Achiness: A dull ache in the pelvis, hips, or legs can suggest early signs of bone softening, known as osteomalacia.

Muscle Weakness: Insufficient vitamin D disrupts calcium absorption, directly affecting muscle contraction and strength.

Joint Stiffness: Inflammation and reduced cartilage flexibility, particularly in knees and fingers, are associated with low vitamin D levels.

Chronic Fatigue: A deficiency can impair mitochondrial energy production and reactivate dormant viruses, leading to persistent tiredness.

Mental Sluggishness: Poor concentration and slower cognitive processing can occur when vitamin D levels drop too low.

Lack of Meal Satisfaction: Without adequate vitamin D, the body struggles to regulate hormones like leptin and insulin, causing increased hunger and overeating.

Dosage and Supporting Nutrients

Berg explained that optimal vitamin D intake is often higher than most people assume. He mentioned that 10,000 to 20,000 IU per day can be beneficial for correcting deficiency, noting that 40 minutes of summer sun exposure naturally provides around 20,000 IU. Toxicity generally arises only from prolonged intake of extremely high doses, he clarified.

He further advised that vitamin D3 should be taken along with cofactors such as magnesium, vitamin K2, zinc, and vitamin B6 for better absorption and safety.

Dr. Berg concluded that many of these overlooked symptoms can be easily corrected through consistent vitamin D supplementation, improved diet, and moderate sun exposure. His video, titled “11 Bizarre Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency,” encourages viewers to pay attention to subtle changes in mood, muscle strength, and energy levels—signs that may point to a deeper nutritional issue.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Here’s what happened when I gave up milk By MISAKI KAWATSU

In India, milk is just as indispensable. For many, it begins with a glass before school and continues into adulthood through endless cups of chai. It is widely available and bound to cultural rituals, from festive sweets to everyday meals.

That said, it’s not uncommon to also hear people say that drinking milk makes them sick to their stomachs—literally. In fact, many people claim that their health only improved after they cut milk from their lives. For some, the culprit is milk intolerance, which can show up not only in digestion but also through acne, sinus allergies, chronic fatigue, brain fog and general inflammation.

I’m one of those people. After experiencing frequent gastro upset, fatigue, and a host of other unexplained issues, I decided to study molecular nutrition. What I learned about the common side effects and health issues associated with regular cow’s milk consumption inspired me to reduce my own consumption—and what followed can only be described as a change in my physical condition for the better. Below, a look at all the reasons I decided to give up milk, and what happened once I quit.

The impact of casein on the intestines

Casein is the main ingredient in milk—it accounts for about 80%. Though casein is a type of protein that contains a very large number of amino acids, it has also been linked to intestinal inflammation. Casein is actually now thought to be one of the causes of milk intolerance or dairy sensitivity.

There are several types of casein. Type A1 casein, which is found in many types of milk—especially in the milk from cows that originated in northern Europe, like Holsteins—is particularly prone  to causing inflammation of the digestive tract, as it’s difficult for humans to digest. This undigested casein ferments in the intestines, producing gases and inflammatory substances that irritate the intestines.

On the other hand, A2 casein—which is mainly found in Guernsey, Jersey, and other cow breeds that originated in the Channel Islands and southern France—is considered relatively easy to digest and may cause fewer symptoms in people who are more likely to react to A1 casein.

Unless labelled “A2,” most regular milk contains both types of casein, meaning most milk can be difficult for a lot of people to digest. “Consumption of milk containing A1 beta-casein was associated with increased gastrointestinal inflammation, worsening of post-dairy digestive discomfort symptoms, delayed transit, and decreased cognitive processing speed and accuracy,” one study that looked at the effects of casein on the gut and brain reports.

Lactose intolerance

Lactose is a  sugar found in dairy products. To break it down efficiently, our bodies use the enzyme lactase. However, the body’s ability to produce its own lactase often declines with age, making lactose difficult to digest—especially as we get older.

The inability to digest lactose is called lactose intolerance, and according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) , approximately 65% of the world’s population experiences some degree of milk intolerance. In other words, most people are actually lactose intolerant.

What happens if you can’t digest lactose? Well, it ferments in the intestines and produces gas, causing abdominal pain, bloating, and more. “Lactose intolerance is a clinical syndrome characterised by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, borborygmi [intestinal rumbling], and diarrhea following the ingestion of lactose-containing food,” the National Library of Medicine confirms.

Antagonistic minerals

Milk is well-known as a source of calcium, but from a nutritional standpoint, the balance of magnesium shouldn’t be overlooked. Calcium and magnesium are called “ antagonistic minerals,” meaning they compete for absorption. The ideal ratio of calcium to magnesium is 2:1, but milk is calcium-dominant at about 10:1 and up to 12:1. As a result, it can contribute to magnesium deficiency.

Incidentally, calcium causes muscle contraction, while magnesium has the opposite effect of relaxing muscles. Excess calcium without a balance of magnesium can cause stiff shoulders, back pain, and muscle cramps.

What happened after I cut back on cow’s milk

Though I still like the taste of milk, I no longer drink it on a daily basis—and as a result, I’ve noticed a dramatic improvement in my physical condition. The biggest impact? Less frequent stomach upset and reduced allergies, including hay fever. My chronic fatigue and brain fog have also improved, and my body no longer feels as generally inflamed.

I’ve replaced most of the milk I was consuming with non-dairy, plant-based alternatives—though of course, I’ll still occasionally indulge in milk products. It’s just no longer a daily occurrence. Instead, I think of milk in the same way I do certain other foods, like chocolate cake, potato chips, and alcohol—as a “treat.” My gut, brain, and body are grateful for the change.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs