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23 years old and scared I have colon cancer

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john38362
john38362

Apologies in advance for the lengthy post. I'm 23 and have had trouble with diarrhea all my life. Last October I noticed blood in my stool when I wiped. I attributed it to hemorrhoids as I did have a habit of sitting on the toilet too long. Fast forward to about a month ago, I've been experiencing really bad intermittent stomach pain, bleeding, mucus in my stool, mucus that leaks into my underwear, and still putting up with the diarrhea. I sometimes have normal stools, sometimes its thin, sometimes its diarrhea, but as I mentioned I've had sporadic bowel movements my whole life. I am a bit of a worrier, so any little thing sets me off, but I have noticed that over the last week or so I've been constantly burping and feeling nauseous when I eat. I'm terrified this is a sign that the cancer has gotten so advanced its causing an obstruction. Could this really be anything other than colon cancer? I have a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy scheduled for next Wednesday, but part of me thinks "what's the point. If I've waited months since my first symptoms I'm as good as gone anyway" I know that's a horrible way of thinking, but as I said I'm a bit of a worrier. I suffer from severe anxiety. Any insight would be wonderfully appreciated, and I'm so sorry to anyone going through colon cancer that I sound like such a wuss for what could be something else.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • emily5513
    emily5513 john38362

    Posted

    Colon cancer shares the same symptoms as other abdominal disorders.. The bleeding could be IBD, hemorrhoids, or an anal tear. Have you been losing weight? Feel unusual fatigue? Those are red flags for colon cancer. 23 is pretty young for colon cancer, a cancer that takes years to develop.
    • john38362
      john38362 emily5513

      Posted

      I wouldn't say anymore fatigue than usual. I can sleep a lot (I think most 20 somethings can lol), but don't feel as if I need to. My weight fluctuates quite a bit, but no alarming drops in weight.

    • emily5513
      emily5513 john38362

      Posted

      That's good cuz like I said those are very alarming symptoms. In my opinion, it sounds like you have some kind of IBS which explains life long diarrhea and sporadic bowel movements, and the blood is just an anal tear from your stools. Mucous in stool, and other symptoms such as nausea and burping can be attributed to IBS. I don't think it is colon cancer. 

  • ashley94333
    ashley94333 john38362

    Posted

    The good news is that colon cancer at 23 is very rare, and your symptoms can be the result of many other things. Statistically you're far more likely to have inflammatory bowel disease which is serious but not life threatening. You have a scope next week which should give you the answers you need... not long to wait now. So do your best to keep yourself busy and not worry. I went through this back in April, months of crippling anxiety and my scope was perfectly clear. I wasted A LOT of time fretting about nothing and I wish I could have that time back.

  • tonie16159
    tonie16159 john38362

    Posted

    John I agree with the others if you have no weight loss no loss of appetite and no family history you are probably good I have bad anxiety about my health it does add to symptoms I also agree with the others try to stay busy and time will fly until your scope please let us know how things go
  • john38362
    john38362

    Posted

    Update everyone, so I had my colonoscopy and it was clear! I had a little redness in my descending colon, and showed I had hemmerhoids. They think I could possibly have chron's disease. They sent a biopsy back and we'll be doing a barium xray to confirm. I just want to thank you all so much for the reassurance and kind words. If interested I'll keep you guys posted on the follow up. Thank you all again so much.

    • tonie16159
      tonie16159 john38362

      Posted

      You are welcome please keep us posted I know all to well the fears of suspecting a serious illness if symptoms arise please go see a doctor
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