Dad was disagnosed and now I'm paranoid

[somuchanxiety123]

My 50 year old Dad was diagnosed on April Fools day of all days. While the tumour is quite large, it was growing inwards in the colon like a donut rather than out through the colon wall, so it hasn't spread. He goes for surgery on May 16th to remove it and a bunch of lymphnodes, but the specialist doesn't think they'll find cancer in the lymphnodes since he can't see any area where the tumour could have broken through the colon wall. Best we could have hoped for considering the circumstances. I am now completely terrified that I too could have colon cancer. I have had chronic constipation and rectal bleeding since I was 14 (I'm 22 now). I do have hemorrhoids that at times poke out of my anus, but I also have had stabbing pain 2 inches to the right and then 2 inches above and below my navel. The constipation does subside when I increase water and fibre, but it's feels like I have to eat/drink so much more fibre/water just to get a normal looking poop. I went to the doctor and they said I probably just have a "lazy colon" and completely dismissed me. Now I'm scared since the symptoms have been on going for 8 years.

[midlifemom]

Perhaps seeing a GI doc will help.
Get an answer with suggestions on how to address it.
If doc can't give answers, find a doc who can.
Good luck!

[DarknessEmbraced]

I agree it's best to see a GI doctor to discuss your symptoms. Good luck and hope your Dad's surgery goes well!*hugs*

[British HNPCC]

If you are worried that there is a genetic link then it needs to be more prevelant than just one family member.look up the Amsterdam Criteria As an example, i have had genetic bowel cancer and As medical records do not go back that far historically, what i know is my great grandfather died of it. My grandmother his daughter had it and survived and died years later of unrelated causes aged 91. Her son, my uncle died of it in 1977 aged 38. His son, my cousin, had it aged 33 and is a survivor now aged 48. My father had it aged 58 and has survived and is now 68. I had it aged 39 and am now 44. I have two brothers who were genetically tested and do not carry the gene. So in short if the gene does run in your family u only have a 50/50 chance of inheriting it. My cousin (as above)has no children so cannot pass it on. My brothers have tested negative cannot either as they both do not carry it. I have 2 children who both have a 50/50 chance of having it. They were both born prior to my dad (who had it later in life than is prevelant for the condition)and myself knowing we were carriers of it. Hopefully in the near future there will be breakthroughs in the treatment of my genetic condition before my kids need to get tested. Hope this helps