I am only a 21-year-old male. My grandparents do have a history of colon cancer but they are in their 70s. The symptoms I have been having are narrow/thin stool, feeling unable to completely empty the bowels, constipation as well as diarrhea, and a lot of abdominal bloating. On two occasions I had a lot of bright red blood in the toilet. I never vomited, though. Does anyone know if these symptoms sound like something else besides cancer? I still have to wait a few more weeks to get in to see a gastroenterologist.
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
You could have hemorrhoids that are bleeding. Irritable Bowel Syndrome also causes some of these symptoms. I know it is hard not to worry, but try to keep track of what is going on and give the doctor a complete description when you get into see him or her. It is not necessarily cancer. Don't worry about that until you have to. Also keep track of what you are eating until you get into see the doctor. You want to be able to answer all of the doctor's questions completely and accurately. Good luck to you.
2 :
colon cancer is usually a disease of older people. However, cancer does not honor age, unfortunately. If you have a family history, then you are very wise to get it checked out. The doctor may want to scope you. It doesn't hurt, i know, I had enough times. It doesn't mean you actually have colon cancer but I wouldn't take any chances since you do have a history, no will be able to tell you if you have cancer...only your doctor will and you are seeing the right kind of doctor. Your type of symptoms can be a variety of problems. First and foremost. you must rule out cancer. Good luck to you and my prayers are with you.
3 :
You could have severe IBS which I had with similar symptoms. I know they sound like cancer, and it is scary-but, my tests turned out okay. Look up IBS on the net.
4 :
It is good that you are going to see a gastroenterolgist for evaluation. He may want to do a colonscopy to examine your colon to check for polys or structural abnomalties. It is difficult to know from the description of your symptoms what you may be dealing with (that's why you go to a doctor to find out for sure!). Anyway, here are just a few other possibilities: Chron's Disease - http://www.ccfa.org/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/crohnsdisease.html Ulcerative Colitis - http://www.ccfa.org/ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html Colonic Polyps http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/colonicpolyps.html Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/diverticulosisanddiverticulitis.html Irritable Bowel Syndrome http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/irritablebowelsyndrome.html Good luck with your appointment.
5 :
Colon cancer is not an "old persons disease"...sorry to tell you all that. Like any cancer, it can strike at any age, and if there's a family history, that just makes it more likely. You probably have nothing to worry about..yet. Your parent (the one with the colon-cancer parents) should be getting a colonoscopy at the age of 40 (not 50 like "normal" people). It doesnt hurt and it can save your life.
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