Saturday, July 16, 2011

Colon Cancer Could I Have It... Help


Colon Cancer Could I Have It... Help?
Could I have colon cancer? I am only 18. There is a family history. My stools have been black or blacker, and I sometimes see little peices. Also I they have been thinner. I don't feel any pain. I am worried because I have known people that have died from the disease. Thanks
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
Collect a sample, take it to the Dr, get a diagnosis. There is no other way to know.
2 :
A black, tar like, or "coffee ground" consistency in your stool indicates a bleed within the stomach. Have you been taking aspirin over a long period of time? Pepto Bismal? The aspirin can cause internal bleeding and is serious. The Pepto just causes a black stool and is nothing to worry about. Take this seriously and see your doctor.
3 :
Definitely see your doctor. Black or tarry stools are an indicator of stomach/small intestine bleeding, which could just mean you have an ulcer or something worse. You need to get it checked out just in case. Doctors can treat colon cancer, but only if it's caught early. Another thing to do until you can get in to see your doctor is check with your local pharmacist. He/she can tell you if there is increased bleeding risk or interactions between any meds you may take. For example, taking PeptoBismol can make your stools black--it's right there on the label. That doesn't mean you should just shove your anxieties aside and not go to the doctor, but like I said, a pharmacist is a widely untapped resource, and they have a wealth of information.






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