6- iron deficiency anemia
Anemia is a relatively common condition caused by any number of conditions. It is the lack of red blood cells that transport oxygen to body, there are also different types of anemia which can often give us clues as to what the exact condition is. Such is the case, with colon cancer. Bleeding is considered the primary cause of anemia which can give rise to an iron deficiency.
There is a cause-and-effect relationship between anemia and colon cancer. In many cases, it may be one of the first symptoms. A diagnosis of anemia may be the first symptom of internal bleeding, even if you do not feel any sign of it.
“If a woman has her period, anemia is less likely to be tested for other causes, such as colon cancer blood test,” says Dr. Randall Holcombe, Oncologist at Mount Sinai Health System. Symptom checker for women’s health, At New York. “If a man is anemic,” he continues, “you suppose he’s bleeding from somewhere.
” It’s not uncommon for people to have internal bleeding for six months before it shows up in the stool, observes Dr. Patricia Raymond, Member of the American College of Gastroenterology. If you experience any symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue or dizziness, see a doctor.