Could this be symptoms for Colon cancer? - Cancer: Colon Message Board

chasicd · 07-28-2005, 01:11 PM

Please help me understand what this is....
I am a 28 year old male. I smoke a pack of cigarettes a day and I have GERD, which I take Nexium to control. I am 30 pounds overweight and I do not exercise. I have been having constipation the last couple months, where I can go days without going to the bathroom. When I do go it is not painful, just takes a while. I also get a dull pain in my lower back sometimes as well as the lower left side of my body. I have an enlarged spleen which the doctor's said were due to a previous case of mono several years ago.

Today, I went to the bathroom and I was bleeding. First time I noticed this and it scared me. I went a second time and the blood was gone. I do not know what it could be.

Last September I had a colonoscopy to check out the enlarged spleen and the doctor removed a polyp. He said the polyp was nothing to worry about. The fact that I have been constipated the past several months makes me worry. Could this be serious, or could it be my diet....I eat alot of carbs and little to no fiber....

Ruth6:11 · 07-28-2005, 02:03 PM

The first thing I would do is call my doctor's office and speak to his nurse.
Mention the bleeding and Sept. colonoscopy w/polyp.

The second thing I would do is:
1) Start exercising even if you start slow
2) Watch my diet. Add lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
3) Drink ALOT of water. You can't gain weight but it can hydrate even your intestines.
All of this second group can help with simple constipation.

Mostly I wouldn't mess with bleeding. Your doctor's office needs to know about it so don't hesitate to let them know.

chasicd · 07-28-2005, 02:10 PM

Thanks for your reply...

I called my doctor and made an appointment. I spoke with his nurse and described the symptoms. I also mentioned that my blood was bright red and a small bloody chunk of something came out. She asked if I drink lots of water and eat vegetable and fruits and I said no. She said that it is probably hemmoroids.....Going to see him next week and I will know for sure.....

Nsane34 · 07-28-2005, 02:17 PM

I know this sounds a little too simple but I have to ask...How much fluids do you
drink? Not soda, or beer but water. If you have any in the house drink some very warm tea any kind. Believe it or not if your constipated even to an extreme this generally helps. If you'd like to know more...I do have some information on the diagnosis that generally lead up to colon cancer but, that is a last resort thing to
think. I know when your having health issues its scary I have some of my own
like my platlets are 555 which is a YIPE! But, if you've never been diagnosed
with IBS or Colitis if your not experiencing a lot of pain its probably not colon cancer.
Does thins help?? Jo

chasicd · 07-28-2005, 02:27 PM

Thanks for your reply....

I used to drink a lot of fluids and now I do not.. I also eat a lot of bread and dairy and little to no fruits or vegetables.....I have gained 30 pounds in 2 years and I am no longer as active as I used to be.......This has been a result of working 70 hours weeks........

I got scared when I saw the blood and thought the worst. I will update the post next week after my doctor's visit.....

Thanks...