Hi there,

Sorry if this sounds gross...but I really have to tell someone about this. From time to time (today for instance), I'll notice some blood in my stools...nothing too major, but I did notice and see blood. Other times, I won't see any blood at all (this is usually the case). But I always (and this has probably been the case for at least a year) see a bit of faint blood on the toilet paper after wiping. I'm thinking I might just have a cut at the tip of the anus but I'm not sure...seeing as how I noticed blood in the stool too.

Is it possible that I might have colon cancer? I've started to get worried about this and it is hard to do other things without thinking about it.

What else could this be? By the way, I am a 23 year old male...is colon cancer rare at this age? or does it matter?

Thanks.

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in my late 20s. I showed signs of blood, off and on for 2 years, but I ignored, in part, because I was young and becasue, at the time, I knew nothing about colon cancer. That doesn't mean you have cancer, but it's best to get it checked out. My cancer was caught at an early stage, but that's because I saw a doctor. During my diagnosis, I met a woman who was diagnosed with colon cancer, when she was 22. It's rarer for a young person, but I've now talked to at least a dozen people, in their 20s and 30s, who found out they had colon cancer. DO NOT ASSUME the worst, but please get checked out by a gastroenterologist, who will be less likely to dismiss your symptoms, due to your age. The anxiety of the "what ifs" will just make you more stressed out.

Thanks for the reply... yeah, I'm planning to get it checked out as soon as the office opens again, i'll make an appointment... what i hate doing though is telling everyone else about it (my parents, etc.). oh well.

how are you making out with it so far?

thanks.

I'm doing better, now that some time has past. Fortunately, my cancer was caught early. In your case, don't assume the worst, because there have been many cases, where signs of blood showed no cancer. I would tell your doctor that you've now heard of younger people, who have had colon cancer, because I came up against doctors who actually dismissed my symptoms, due to my age. The public is more educated about colon cancer, but you have to be proactive, in asking to be scoped. After my diagnosis, my doctor, a specialist, told me all my siblings should be checked out. My younger brother actually had a precancerous polyp. Hang in there. I'm a big believer in staying on a schedule of appropriate screening tests, like, women, for exp., shouldn't miss there annual pelvic exams. I know it's awkward talking about this to your family and friends. If possible, I'd try to share your concerns with someone you feel comfortable with and be as forthright with the doctor as you can be. You are being responsible with your health, as worried as you are right now. I do know that there is alot of support, at this board, while people are waiting to see the doctor; etc. You aren't alone here....

I know how you feel. It can sort of take over your life. It becomes hard to enjoy things when you constantly have that on your mind. The other poster is right though, talk about it with someone. It may not seem like it would but it does help.

MOST likely it's a simple as a common hemmorhoid.