What Causes Constipation?

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is one of the most serious causes of constipation. While most individuals with colon cancer have no symptoms in the early stages of the condition, signs of the disease include abdominal pain and bloating, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, and blood in the stool. In addition to constipation, some patients might notice diarrhea. Colon cancer is more common in individuals over fifty years old, and doctors recommend regular colon cancer screening tests for this age group. Generally, a colonoscopy is the preferred screening method, and this procedure needs to be performed once every ten years. Some non-invasive screening options are available for patients who cannot have a colonoscopy. If colon cancer is detected, treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Targeted drug treatment and proton beam therapy might be appropriate for certain patients.