Colon cancer ??

Posted , 5 users are following.

For almost two years I have had irregular bowel movements. Sometimes the stool is very short pointed stools, then other times constipated, then sometimes very large and normal looking. I have tried to tie it to the multaq I take for my heart, and the Viagra I sometimes take but it has never stayed normal for longer than a couple weeks. I am 57 and have never had a colonoscopy and am petrified I have colon cancer. Can anyone help with some advice ??

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Scott3857

    Do ask your doctor to arrange a colonoscopy. The procedure is nothing to worry about. The most inconvienient part is taking the laxative over a period of 24 hours to get the bowel empty, but that is all. I had one recently which diagnosed Diverticula rather than the feared cancer so it can put your mind at rest one way or the other. 

  • Posted

    Dear scott3857,

    You are obviously very concerned about your health and the usual situation starts up where you think you might have bowel cancer. I was in a similar situation about nine months ago. I was so scared that I paid for a colonoscopy examination my self because there was a 35 week waiting list. The consultant said I will be carrying out your examination but I will be very supprised if you have bowel cancer.

    I then spoke to the nurse and asked what the symptoms would be if I had bowel cancer. She replied well, not like you. This was too intriging for me so I asked many questions to find out what the symptoms were.

    They never give a straight answer but I finally found out that you should seek medical help if

    a) you are vomiting blood or black material like coffee granules.

    b) you are passing dark blood in your stools.

    c) you are passing blood mixed in with your stools

    d) you are passing black tarry stools.

    e) you are loosing weight or going off your food for no reason.

    f) you have experienced a RECENT change in your bowel habits especially towards looser stools.

    Even after any of these symptoms bowel cancer has to be diagnosed after a colonoscopy examination or a CT scan.

    Does any of these symptoms apply to you?

    I am fairly sure that you a just a worrier like me. They will diagnose IBS and you will feel very relieved, just like I was.

    The thing to remember is not to worry. 80% of the things we worry about never happen.

    When you have had the colonoscopy examination and everything is OK please come back and tell us on this forum. I am expecting to here from you after Christmas.

    Best regards

    robert

    • Posted

      Robert,

      Thank you so much for your comments and concern. The only thing that I have experienced is a change of stool for over two years. It never seems to stay consistent. Sometimes constipated and then sometimes long and thin stools, then I will have health regular looking stools. This has been going on for two years. I am going to schedule a colonoscopy and am petrified about the cancer thing. Thank you for the info.

  • Posted

    2 years? odds are not in favor of cancer...if your :"petrified"

    and merely want to "rule it out"...

    ca125 and or cea blood test

    along with anything else your dr might suggest that might

    be connected with your long term stool issue.

    Claudio

  • Posted

    Scott,

    I agree with donclaudio, she seems to hit the nail on the head, absolutely right. I had not considered blood tests, this is the root I would take.

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