Colon cancer is one of the preventable cancers and its symptoms are not easily identifiable. the colon cancer, when diagnosed, is usually at the advanced stage. It is also necessary to be informed about the symptoms of colon cancer as it would help you to take care of your health.

There are many symptoms and these symptoms cannot be identified in the early stages of cancer. hence, it is highly recommended to opt for regular health checkups once an individual attains the age of fifty.

The symptoms are classified into two types. they are Local and Systemic symptoms.

The local colon cancer symptoms are diarrhea, constipation, changes in bowel movement and frequent gas pains or cramps. the systemic colon cancer symptoms are jaundice, anemia, unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite nausea, vomiting and jaundice.

It is necessary to consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms mentioned above. this will help you to do the necessary tests and also prepare yourself before doing these tests.

The different stages of colon cancer are described here:

* the first stage is the stage 0 i.e. is the earliest stage. this stage can be described as the findings of a group of abnormal cells in an individual’s colon. this stage is just the beginning of cancer and is not dangerous to the individual’s life. * the next stage is the stage I when the cancer has spread outwards beyond the inner tissue layer that exists on the wall of the individual’s colon. * the stage II is divided into Stage IIA and Stage IIB. in stage II a, is the cancer spreads to the middle layers of the tissue in the walls of the colon and the surrounding tissues. Stage IIB occurs when the cancer has spread into the organs in the region or into the abdominal wall. * in stage III, the cancer spreads to the other organs of the body and requires aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy, surgical resection and other medical therapies. * in the stage IV, this cancer spreads to other organs such as liver or lungs.

Chemotherapy is recommended for treating the stage III and stage IV along with the biologic therapies. It is sometimes also recommended for the stage II.

A lack of testing for food allergies is putting children's health at risk and could lead to life threatening reactions, a study has found.

The study, Adverse reactions to food in new Zealand children age 0-5 years, was published today in the new Zealand Medical Journal.

It looked at a cross-section of 110 children who had attended Plunket clinics.

It found 44 had experienced an adverse reaction to food, but only four had been clinically evaluated.

Those children were found to have adverse reactions to food allergens, including a life threatening peanut allergy.

Two others had been hospitalised with systemic symptoms, but neither had undergone testing for food allergy.

“If these children have food allergies, they remain at risk for continued and possibly severe reactions,” the study said.

Parents modifying children's diets or breastfeeding mothers cutting out food without advice from a physician or dietician could also have adverse affects, it said.

“Failure to thrive is commonly seen in children experiencing FA (food allergy) as a result of multiple foods being removed from their diet.”

The data indicated adverse reactions to food were a public health concern and may be under investigated — even when symptoms were severe, the study said.

“There is an urgent need to investigate the epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention of FA (food allergy) in new Zealand to reduce morbidity, improve child health, and reduce the burden to health costs.”

Thirty-three of the children were reported to have eczema.

Ten had worsening symptoms two hours after eating, the study said. Symptoms improved in six of them with dietary changes.

Doctors had prescribed topical therapy for 18 of those children with eczema, but symptoms had persisted.

“One possible explanation for this observation is undiagnosed FA (food allergy). without testing, allergic triggers for eczema could not be identified in these participants.”

Further investigation of food allergy as the cause of eczema was warranted, the study said.

Adverse reactions to food worldwide in children was an increasing concern and food allergy was as common in new Zealand as in other countries, the study said.

The study was conducted by the Auckland District Health Board and led by Associate Professor Rohan Ameratunga and lead researcher Dr Christine Crooks.

Allergy new Zealand chief executive Penny Jorgensen said the study was “really disturbing” because it highlighted that many children were not being assessed for food allergy.

The risk was the potential for life-threatening reactions, she said.