update on colon cancer worries.

[drew1994]

Okay so I go to a university and we have our own Medical clinic. I had another bowel movement with red streaks on the stool. This naturally freaked me out so I tried to set up an appointment to the school med clinic. I couldnt set up an appointment because it was after hours so I called the 24/7 nurse hotline. I told the nurse my symptoms and she said the blood since its not mixed in with the stool and is on the stool surface could be hemorrhoids but having abdominal pain that comes and goes is not normal. So if I can I will go to the GP either tomorrow or the next day. I have a fear of doctors and anything medical because of being diagnosed with something serious and because I had a loved one die in the hospital and I do not want to end up like him.

[Kick'nAssCancer'sAss]

Not to alarm you but the blood does not have to be within the stool. I had the fecal blood test that detects blood within the actual stool and I was negative/normal. I like you had blood outside the actual stool and that is why I am on this forum. You need a scope.

[drew1994]

I'm only 21 though. I dont have a history of colon cancer or colon problems, I dont smoke or drink and I have never had a serious heath problem.

[Kick'nAssCancer'sAss]

Wake up Drew. Have you not been reading this forum? I sent you a link on your last post earlier. COLON CANCER is not your grandparents disease anymore. People your age are getting diagnosed a lot more often. It is probably nothing but won't you feel better knowing for sure?

[NZJay]

I'm only 21 though. I dont have a history of colon cancer or colon problems, I dont smoke or drink and I have never had a serious heath problem.

I was a competitive athlete and ultra-healthy, living an easy life in a nice part of the world. And I first got sick around age 27.

Statistically you do not have a high chance of having CC, but neither did I. I wish I'd got checked when I first had symptoms.

Get to the doc. Demand a scope.

[drew1994]

Yeah But I am a negative nancy. I hate going to the doctor because I dont want to be diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. That is literally my worst night mare

[Kick'nAssCancer'sAss]

So don't go to the doctor and be an idiot. There are hundreds of people here that wished they had the opportunity you have. To be checked early before it is stage IV. When and IF it is stage IV then remember these post. You think you don't like doctors now.....

[drew1994]

Well that's the thing, I read somewhere by the time someone shows symptoms. It is either stage III or IV. How could I fight a disease I didnt know I had for a long time and doesn't show symptoms until its serious? It's one big mind screw if you are someone as young as me

[Andrea1976]

I had a sudden offset of symptoms and immediately acted on it. It started in Nov 2015 and I discrabed it as having a tennis ball on left side of my abdomen. I was thinking a cyst so had an ultrasound at my OBGYN. On the day I started bleeding I rashed to ER and 2 weeks later had colonoscopy. I also didn't know anything about colorectal cancer before 50 years old. I am a member of different women's organizations and we hear about breast cancer and prevention. Not even once I heard about colon cancer prevention. It's time to start getting the younger generation informed. I read online some doc' statement that 50% of his patients are less than 50 years old.

[Chayo]

Well that's the thing, I read somewhere by the time someone shows symptoms. It is either stage III or IV. How could I fight a disease I didnt know I had for a long time and doesn't show symptoms until its serious? It's one big mind screw if you are someone as young as me

Don't assume that symptoms mean Stage III/IV. I started having symptoms in May/June and had my colon resection in December. I'm Stage II. Go get scoped!

[Nik Colon]

If you did happen to have cancer, not knowing won't change it. Go in!

I WISH I would have known about CRC years ago and gotten a colonoscopy, maybe I could have prevented it!

Also, it's not an automatic death sentence as you can see, so just get it done or you will keep worrying for what could be nothing.

[chrisca]

Agreeing with all my buds above. Get in to the doc. Don't believe "it's just hemorrhoids" unless they can show you the source of the bleeding. I had the same symptoms as you, they told me not to worry, and three years later it was stage 3. I still kick myself for not questioning the doctor more and asking for a second colonoscopy right away. Early detection with colorectal cancer is the key. Your treatment will be less severe, you'll have an easier time coping, and you'll have better long-term bowel function with less chance of recurrence. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Get the test, and you'll have the best possible chance of enjoying a happy and healthy future.

[PainInTheAss]

Yes, yes... And I had a hemorrhoid that was actually caused by a rectal tumor so I had a hemorrhoid and a tumor. Bright red blood outside the stool. I had a GI doc at the ER who ran tests tell me I didn't have a tumor and you are believing a nurse over the phone???

There was a poster on here who was diagnosed with colon cancer at 15. No age is too young.

And Stage III is not a death sentence.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I had rectal bleeding, bowel changes, and horrible left side abdominal pain. I was diagnosed as stage 2a. I agree please go to the doctor and get checked. It will give you peace of mind. If you don't go you will never know.

[mmblz]

Get a scope!!!
You'll either find out it's something minor and you can stop worrying, or you'll find it's cancer and be better off than finding this out in another year or three.
Just get it, you'll be better off no matter what the result.

I was content with the hemmroids theory for 9 months before I pushed again. What I would give to go back those 9 months and do it over again!