Hi Everyone my name is Amy and i am 15 for the past week or so i have been having bowel problems. There has been blood in my stool and its green and my stool is very very loose. Many people have told me u can't get Colon cancer when your this young but the only symptom i don't have is loosing weight. For example i went out to eat with my family last week and i ate a lot and it never came out. And when i do use the bathroom its a struggle but theres not blood everytime just every other time..... if Anyone has info help me plz!!:confused:

Hi Amy,
Have you talked to your Mom? If not go to her now and explain what is going on. It may be embarrassing to you but she is your mom and it will help since you are so worried.

I Will, but should i not be worried about this?? maybe it will go away... Do u think its possible to have Colon Cancer at 15?? i mean i have ALL the symptoms but weight loss...

Amy,
I agree, talk with your mom. No, I think the chance of cancer is very, very small. The blood could be from small tears or hemorrhoids---are you constipated at times? The green coloration can be from excess bile from eating fatty foods, stool moving through too fast (like when you had loose stools) or something as simple as due to a particular food or drink you had. Talk to your mom and she can help you determine what is causing it, if you continue to have problems--see your family doctor.

I haven't ate anything different than any other time.... i mostly eat grilled chicken sandwiches and they wouldn't cause this and i don't have constipation becuse im never bothered to use the bathroom now its just stopping all together when ur constipated ur stomach hurts and u want to go but my never hurts like that but after i finally go it hurts for away but i barely go its like drops now...... Why is there a very very small chance this couldn't be Colon Cancer??? other than my age

I meant my stomach hurts right after it not my butt.........

GirlVeryScared:
NEVER assume that bleeding is due to hemorrhoids or constipation or a tear. DO NOT rely on your mother to tell you what is right and wrong regarding this, and DO NOT rely on your family physician to tell you what is wrong. He/she is simply NOT trained enough to be able to definitively tell you what is wrong. Same thing with your Mom... she will probably be very anxious to write this off as nothing. This is human instinct.

Bottom line is you are NEVER too young to present with colorectal cancer or a polyp. Rectal Bleeding of ANY kind is NOT NORMAL.

I do NOT want to scare you. This is the LAST thing I want to do. Rather, I want you to take this seriously and tell your Mom that you want to go see a Gastroenterologist. NEVER let anyone tell you that you are too young, including the doctor. The only way to tell what is going on is to have a colonoscopy. This is an EXTREMELY EASY procedure that is made to seem like a big deal by others who are afraid to talk about colorectal conditions. PLEASE don't become one of those people that are afraid. Help yourself and help to change the way people look at conditions with your anus. There is NOTHING to be embarrassed about. And the comfort you will get from knowing what it is will be worth SO MUCH MORE than a simple procedure. ;)

Please let us know how it goes, and don't hesitate to write if you need more advice. :)

Good luck to you,
CancerDad :angel:

Cancerdad gives good advice. The main reason I suggested starting with your family doctor is that I know many people's insurances require a referral to specialist. My point is that yes, you should get checked, talk to your mom (at your age she needs to be involved in your medical care), but you don't know what is causing your problem at this time--so you must take an action that will help you find the answers.

I will share with your that my son at 18 had intermittent abdominal pain, nausea and some rectal bleeding ---after seeing a GI doc and having colonoscopy he was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and has done well with it after knowing how to treat it and how to avoid flare ups.

Have you talked to your mom yet? Please take the time to do so. I would be so upset if my sons did not share this with me, because I want to help them stay as healthy as possible...I'm sure your mom does too.

MOST likely it is something that you do not need to worry about...BUT you MUST get this checked out by a gastroenterologist to make sure. Even if it is IBS or some other non cancerous condition, there are medications that can help you. IF it is something more to worry about then you must catch it now to avoid further problems down the road. It IS very rare for someone your age to have colon cancer, BUT it DOES happen, so you must take the steps to check this out. Take this seriously and be sure that your folks do too. Do not be embarrassed or scared... I had IBS and Crohn's colitis and if left untreated it can put you at very high risk for colon cancer later in life. So you should do what you can to take care of it now. It is very hard, I know from experience...but please ask to have a colonoscopy...actually don't ask - INSIST!

Keep us posted...we will worry about you!! :)

Take care,
Cats

post deleted.

Thank u guys for all of ur support... But i was diagnosed with colon cancer Friday.... my doctor couldn't believe it and neither could anyone else... My 16th birthday is Tuesday.... i am so scared u guys... Now it doesn't matter how old u r.. if u think theres something wrong with ur body plz go see if ur alright... i almost didn't and look at me

I am so sorry. I know you are scared but please think positive. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

RW

Girl:
I am VERY SORRY that you have come to the Board under these circumstances. However, you should be commended for undergoing a colonoscopy and listening to your body and pushing for answers. Well done.

You are most likely going to feel MANY different feelings right now... this is ALL normal. Allow yourself to feel them, and don't just stuff it. Your head will be spinning with all that you will have to do. And you might be in shock for a while and just feel numb.

My wife and I were basically numb... I was diagnosed at 31... began bleeding at 28, but my doctor kept telling me it was hemorrhoids, stress, or Advil. I believed her, as she was board certified in Internal Medicine... what did I know... which delayed my diagnosis. Ultimately I was diagnosed with Stage
3C (T3N2M0) Rectal Cancer. Despite Many side effects, I am currently in remission, knock on wood.

Please DO NOT HESITATE to come to us with ANY feelings you are feeling or questions you may have. There are many younger survivors on this board, and those still going through treatment. We are all like a big family here, and are willing to help you however we can. So, please come back and talk as much as you want.

Warm Regards,
CancerDad :angel:

PPS Happy Birthday! Mine was just this past Thursday!:)

I am so sorry to hear your results. It is a frightening experience-the last thing you want to happen. Google the colon club. They have many young members. Some are in their teens. Between them and us, we will all be here to give you and your family support and comfort. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dear Amy,
I too am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. You are young and will have a lot more strength and stamina than the rest of us here. Since you have not been bleeding for a long period of time, most likely the cancer will be small enough so your dr. can do laprascopic surgery. That is what mine dr. did and I'm a stage 3C. I was amazed at how little pain there was. It is a small incision and you may have little half inch incisions where the surgeon will use instruments to look around at your other organs and take lymph nodes out to check. These small incisions do not hurt. I only had to hit the morphine button one time and that was because the nurse told me to before I moved from the stretcher to my bed. Hopefully you will be a stage 1 and will not have to have chemo. If you do have to have chemo, you will not lose much hair. Young people heal fast. Let us help you in any way we can by answering questions. I've been in this group for less than a month and I've had many questions answered by people who have experienced the things I'm going thru. So please ask questions, vent, express your fears. Just say whatever you need to say to us. (((( Big Hug )))) for you.
B.A.Mc. (who has a granddaughter 1 yr. younger than you)

girlveryscared,

I was so upset to return from a long weekend away and read your post. I am so sorry that you have to go through this at such a young age. What are your doctors saying now as far as a plan for your treatment? How are you holding up? I am sure you and your family are scared and worried. Please let them know they can come to us for help and support as well. It will be a tough ride for you all...but your age is on your side! You are young and smart and you will beat this and be stronger for it.

Please keep us updated on your progress, both physically and emotionally. The mother/teacher in me just wants to reach out and give you and your family a big hug.

Here is one story to give you hope today. My friend's cousin was also diagnosed w/colon cancer as a young teen. She is now a junior in high school and is doing GREAT! She was able to continue w/school and is doing so well.

All my best to you. Please keep us posted...we tend to worry about each other!

Take care and try to keep your chin up. You have already proven you are a young woman with great courage...you will do well!

Hugs,
Cats

girlveryscared,
Just got back in town and saw your post. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis, but so proud of you that you went to Dr. and got checked. Keep us all posted on your treatment. Best wishes and big hugs to you!

Just adding my very best wishes for your recovery. I cannot believe some one so young could be diagnosed, but hang in there. Come back to the board with any questions you might have. We have a wealth of information here!
Take care,

Hi!
Did you talk to your mom if so what did she say? The only way they can check if you have colon cancer is by doing a colonoscopy. Good Luck
Leah

At your age colon cancer is very rare. Also -- blood in the stool could be the result of a number of other things. I would simply book an appt. with your family doctor and get it checked out.. it's really no big deal and this way you have nothing to worry about. Don't worry, they're used to dealing with things like this every day.

Thank u guys for all of ur support... But i was diagnosed with colon cancer Friday.... my doctor couldn't believe it and neither could anyone else... My 16th birthday is Tuesday.... i am so scared u guys... Now it doesn't matter how old u r.. if u think theres something wrong with ur body plz go see if ur alright... i almost didn't and look at me


Girl has already posted that she was diagnosed with colon cancer. I am personally sorry that we haven't heard from her again, but she was advised from MANY of us to see a GI to get a diagnosis, and tell her mother for support. Getting a diagnosis of colorectal cancer was shocking for all of us; I can only imagine how traumatic a diagnosis of colorectal cancer is for a 16 year old. I don't know WHY we should be questioning WHY or WHETHER she has cancer; she hasn't given any reason for us to question her. I don't know WHY people are questioning her diagnosis. :confused:

I can't imagine that anyone would say that they have cancer when they don't. I wish she would return so that we might be able to provide her whatever support she may need. I wish her the best of luck. :angel:

~CancerDad

I agree with CancerDad....I was getting confused wondering why people were advising her to get a colonoscopy and so on when she had already said she had been diagnosed. I do hope she reads this and lets us know how she is doing.

I think the chances of this being cancer are unlikely. Although you should be seen by a doctor. I have medical background. It may be a bacterial infection. See a gastroenterologist. I don't know where you are from but the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA has excellent gastroenterologists. Try not too worry. Good Luck!

I agree with cancerdad and alison. I wish her the very best and would really like to know how she is doing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hi Amy, just let you know, I will keep you in prayer. I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to you!

girlveryscared,

I hope that you are doing well...if you are reading this know that there are many of us rooting for you and we are here if you have any questions.

One of MY inspirations when I was in treatment was my friend's cousin who had colon cancer as a teenager. She survived colon cancer AND a brain tumor and is living her life now!! You can do it!

Take care of yourself.
Cats