I am a 34 year old male, in pretty good health for being about 70 lbs overweight. I am worried about the presence of blood in my stool and would like some insight as to whether or not I need to be more concerned.

At times, there seems to be a small amount of blood on my stool, not necessarily mixed in the stool, but its hard to tell how mixed it may be. It is bright red and sometimes appears on the tissue as well. It is not everytime I go to the bathroom and it can go weeks without appearing. I think its most likely a hemmorhoid or an anal fissure (as sometimes it is really painful to void) but since my father had colon cancer at 56 I am more aware and concerned. I purchased the EZ Detect product, which checks for blood in the stool, and was negative everytime.

My question is, if this is progressing colon cancer, would the amount of blood increase over time? My stools seem pretty normal, though I do go from constipation to loose stools from time to time, but I think I can attribute that to diet. Can the blood be from a polyp? How concerned should I be? I feel just fine (though I know you don't start feeling bad until the cancer has taken hold) and am exercising and eating properly to lose my extra weight. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Tony

Hi Tony,

The only way to really know is to have a colonoscopy. Seeing as your father had colon cancer at a relatively early age, there is a chance you may get it but if found early, your chances of survival are very high. You certainly should be checked regularly so that any polyps can be removed. Your symptoms may well indicate hemorroids or fissure but, again, only a colonscopy can determine the cause of the bleeding.

Imagine how wonderful you will feel if and when the test comes back negative and puts an end to your anxiety!

That is really good advice, Allison. I guess I am just scared that the doc will find something :rolleyes: Not an excuse not to do it, though!

I know it is scary but it is more scary to leave it, worry about it constantly and then possibly find there is something SERIOUSLY wrong. There is something empowering about knowing there is or is not a problem. If there is a problem, you then get on and deal with it. Anxiety is very debilitating, as I am sure you know!

As scary as knowing you have a cancerous polyp is try to imagine finding out that, a year or two down the line, that you have a large tumour and mets to the liver. There is scary and there is SCARY.

Since the bleeding comes and goes it is probably a hemmerhoid. However a doc should be giving you treatment advice for that as well. Bleeding hemmerhoids can sometimes cause infection at the site or even in the blood stream.

loose a little weight( yeah I know, I am 25 pounds overweight and 47 years old I understand that is easier said than done) and try prep H supositories. Buy both the Prep H tube and the supositories, dab a bit of cream on the end of the supository, this aids in insertion. It is gross and yechhy and nasty and ,,,,,, it works!!

Tony:
Not to scare you, but I am (just turned) 32 and was diagnosed with rectal cancer last year. My main symptom was intermittent bleeding around the stool and on the toilet paper. That is one of the signs of rectal cancer... not constant bleeding.

So, PLEASE go get a colonoscopy. It really isn't bad, and can save you A LOT of problems down the road if you are catching something early.

Best of Luck!
CancerDad

Sorry Cancerdad I did not mean to say it could not be cancer of course and your experience proves it.

Tony, I too expected the doctor to say it was a hemmerhoid. I was wrong obviously.

Thanks for all the advice!!! I really appreciate it. Now I just need to make an appointment, I guess.

An of course, everything seems ok today... and probably will for awhile, then I will have blood again. I know its worth the piece of mind just to go get the colonoscopy.

Thanks, your insight is invaluable.

Tony