I'm glad to have found this board because it's so difficult to talk to someone about this kind of stuff, even doctors. I'm a 58 year old woman. About 2 months ago, my bowel movements changed a lot. I used to have solid brown stool, with a movement once daily or every other day. For some reason, about 2 months ago, I started having much softer stool (maybe once a week it's almost liquid), usually once a day. I haven't noticed any blood or other strange things. There's really been a big change from solid to mostly soft.

I worry a lot about colon cancer, since I've heard that one of the symptoms is change in bowel movements (I don't have any other symptoms). However, I'm even more scared of having a colonoscopy or any testing done. I don't think I've made any substantial changes in diet or medications. Has anyone experienced something similar? Any suggestions about what is going on?

I can't comment on what the problem could be, but I can tell you this: DON'T let the thought of a colonoscopy scare you. It's a painless test as they usually put you out before doing anything. Honestly, the hardest part is the prep for it the day before because you have to be cleaned out.

My family has a history of colon cancer and that alone was enough to convince me to be screened.