I am 14 with no family history. A week ago I had a red stool. Since then, my poo has been regular color, although I have been going in smaller amounts and feel slower(could just be all that corned beef; not really worried about that part). Should I see the doctor over just one red stool a week ago? Could I have CC? Or should I wait to see if I have another red one?

Firstly, family history doesn't matter. My mom got rectal cancer and there is no history in the family. It may have been something you ate, but it doesn't hurt to see your doc. If you are unsure, don't try and self diagnose, go to your doctor anyway....even if its nothing. Better to have the piece of mind....

Hmm...okay , I think faimly history matters in terms of young CC cases. Older cases I guess it's by chance that you get cancer most of the time, unless it's family history or lifestyle.

The reason I don't want to see the doctor for just one red poo is because I am an admitted hypochondriac--I've been to the dermatologist and urologist all for nothing in the past 5 months. My parents think it is another boy-who-cried-wolf thing.

Well, you are only 14, so it IS highly unlikely that it would be cancer. Although, if the blood continues, I would see a doctor.

Okay. My bowel movements were normal for a week since then--I just had watery "balls" of diarrhea like things, but no blood.

Foods with a lot of dye in them which could include processed corned beef or of course the vegetable beets can indeed pass that dye on through to the intestinal exit door. This is especially true in younger people. If it comes back or if the diaharea continues or if it is simply bugging you, make an appointment with you family doctor and discuss it with him/her. Can't hurt, right?

Yup. Thanks everyone. I noticed the tiniest little speck of microscpoic red yesterday upon wiping--I'm just going to assume it's left over from that other one and stop worrying until we phone the doctor.

My bowel movements were normal up to the last one, which was slightly wet and had all sorts of colors and things in it: Carrots, green leaf things, it did have some red which I wa very worried about. My mom came in and looked at it and said it was probably something I ate. I was pacing, very worried, and I asked her if she should call the doctor and she said she already did. The doctor said that it is very very unusual for 14 year old to have CC; she also gave us the phone number of the psychiatrist :eek:

I have 85% trust in this doctor, but 7% says that she could be wrong and 8% knows that she thinks everyone drinks skim milk and eats fruit.

So, umm...should I protest or wait for my next stool? I really am not sure if the red was blood or food...some of it definitely looked like food and some of it I had noo idea...it wasn't particularly bright or dark but it didn't look like red bell pepper or whatever the other red thing was.

What a sad coincidence that I could have had a red stool at the same time that a red food had to come out!

If the red is solid then it is not likely blood. Digested blood is black and fresh blood would mix with the water. Most likely it is red pepper or tomato.

Wiat, let me rephrase it: YOu are saying that if it was blood it would have been black or mixed with the toilet water most likely, correct? Because mine was a 1/2 inch streak that was not mixing...but has anyone had that and found that it was in fact blood? Because I read this...

"i first had blood around the stool, and was on medication...but now the blood is mixed with the stool. if the blood is in the stool, this could be a serious thing. i wish i could give u more information, but i am right now about to ungergo many tests for this. my docter said that it is a good chance of cancer"

She seems to be saying the opposite of you, jaydees. Who should I believe?

:bouncing: Someone please respond!