What is a normal number of bm? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

mommy_4 · 09-15-2004, 02:00 AM

What is a normal number of bowel movements? My husband has a bm almost everytime after he eats. My mother says I should be having one at least once a day. As long as I can remember I have only had like two or three a month. Is this normal? Can this cause colon cancer? Sometimes I'll get a pain in my lower stomach when I haven't had one in awhile but it goes away when I do. Should I be concerned?

Earl Quastie · 09-15-2004, 04:29 AM

To me, two or three a month sounds really slow. But if it's been that way your whole life then it's normal for you so no reason you would have something abnormal....

hoping4best · 09-15-2004, 12:48 PM

1-3 per day is normal. If its been 2-3 times per month, you are definitely constipated. Have you tried taking metamucil or eating other forms of fibre? Is your diet generally low in fibre? Drinking more water can help things move along better too....

jaydees · 09-15-2004, 09:25 PM

I'm with "hoping" on this. a few bm's per month has to have you backed up.

There is some evidence that a high fiber diet with plenty of liquids and a moderate amount of exercise does reduce the risk of colon cancer due to increased motility (ease of getting "stuff" through ) through the bowel. The flip side of that would suggest that lower motility increases the risk of colon cancer.

Tell your story to a doc and let him/her decide if something should be done.

Your husband is not alone in his "going " after a meal. One of the common triggers for a BM is food in the stomach. He seems to be quite sensitive to this. Sometimes it is a specifac food. Personaly if I eat a banana that has any green skin at all I can expect a few quick trips to the bathroom. Sometimes a green onion will also do that. For others it is a warm liquid such as tea, soup or coffee.