Does this sound like colon cancer? I'm really scared

Posted , 3 users are following.

Im a 16 year old female and have been suffering from bowel problems since the beginning of 2018. I first experienced some abdominal pain and alternations between diarrhea and constipation. That's when my anxiety started again. I have really bad anxietyand had taken therapy or about a month and I quit for some reason. I'm scared that I have colon cancer. Does my symptom sound like it? Or does it seem like IBS or just my anxiety messing everything up

Symptoms I have: alternating diarrhea and constipation, abdominal pain/discomfort (not one particular place but has happened everywhere in my abdomen! BM relieves the pain, tho) more gas than usual, occasional indigestion, bloating, fullness, sometimes loss of appetite, occasional thin/flat stool, mucus in stool, bad bad anxiety, terrible stress

I don't have unintentional weight loss. I did lose 4-6 pounds in a month because I got sick twice. I was consuming less calories so that could be the cause. For the past few months, my weight fluctates from 111-114. Weight loss is a symptom of colon cancer so my anxiety pushes me to weigh myself-a lot. I've never seen blood in my stool. There are times I have blood on the toilet paper but it's usually when I'm constipation and excessively wipe. I just apply cream to the cut and it heals within days.

I'm scared that I might have anemia but on some of my nails, the base/part starting at cuticle is a bit pale (really light pink-ish/white color) and then it darkens to a more pink color. And then I started experiencing some anemia "symptoms" but they are also anxiety symptoms like lightheadedness. I started to self check anything I can for signs of anemia. Everything looks normal. My palm is red/normal color, my lips is reddish, my tongue is normal, my palpebral thing looks normal too. My skin is not really pale, but I haven't been outside much since it was winter and really cold where I live. I'm freaking out over my nail color! Everyone says it looks fine but I can't help the anxiety.

I've never heard of colon cancer in my family. I think I have "relative" who had colon cancer but we're not related, my parents are just really good friends with him. Other than that, I don't know anyone else who has colon cancer. 

Does my symptom sound like colon cancer? I'm scared.

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Posted

    Sounds like you have intense anxiety-and something between piles and IBS-

    You haven't mentioned seeing a doctor-perhaps you should see a professional.

    I doubt if you have cancer.Blood could be and I imagine is, piles (from straining on the toilet).

    Make an appointment to see someone at your local doctors surgery.

    You are getting  too anxious and it's making everything worse-I also suggest speaking to a parent about this-they should know how you are feeling -shouldn't they ?

    I feel sorry to hear you are not feeling good- but really you need a professional opinion.

    Best wishes

    Susan

    • Posted

      I went to a doctor. He asked like 10 billions question. Probably to get to know me and my symptoms better. Told me I need a therapist. If it doesnt work, I have to go back to him. He said at my age, especially with no alarming symptoms, no family history of cancer, what Im experiencing is most likely anxiety and possible IBS. I went to therapy for a while. Things started to get better, my symptoms were subsiding. But I suddenly quit for some reason and something happened to me and now I'm back with the anxiety and what ifs and my symptoms are gettin worse again. I won't be able to talk to a therapist in about a few more weeks.

    • Posted

      I don't want to dissuade you from therapy but I hear the same thing if you have alternating bowels even though I'm not a doctor I agree with ibs I hope therapy works for you I don't feel mine is anxiety but I've lost weight

    • Posted

      My doctor haven't fully diagnosed me with IBS yet but he said it's something that I might be suffering from. Is IBS when your colon is sensitive or something like that? Because when I was younger, I would get frequent abdominal pain, and constipation with some diarrhea in between. But therapy does help me a lot. Probably most of my symptoms is anxiety some might just be IBS. My dad has IBS, I think.

    • Posted

      Camham I'm not sure all I now for sure is you have alternating between constipation and diarrhea

    • Posted

      Cam ham I miss communicated my last reply I meant to say is the only thing I know about ibs is the alternating bowel habits my reply wasn't meant to sound condescending I just meant those are the only symptoms I know for sure so I couldn't give you an informed answer sorry if you took me as condescending as that would never be my intention I hope you are doing better sincerely tonie

    • Posted

      Oh no, I knew what you meant, don't worry. Well, TBH, I was a bit taken back but then read it again and thought you might just meant that's the only symptom you know of IBS. It's all good 👌🏼😃

    • Posted

      Thanks for responding glad it's all good and I do hope you get better soon

  • Posted

    Anxiety is a real nuisance, or stronger words than that! I agree, you should see your Dr. You seem very young to have bowel cancer. Try not to use Dr. Google if you are tempted. 
    • Posted

      Thought Google was my friend. Guess not. Googling is probably the worst decision to make. I should still to real people and doctor to ask question.
  • Posted

    Dear camham I'm not a doctor but colon cancer is rare for younger people it does sound more like ins because your bowel habits alternate ibs I can tell by your post you are a googler like me as you have a lot of information I have lots of abdominal issues I'm all for being your own health care advocate I was seeing someone for anxiety also warranted as yours is also but please take to heart Google is not our friend and I hate seeing someone so young going through this as someone who knows personally what you are going through its a terrible way to spend your day but please see a doctor to ease your mind I wish you the best and hope you get answers you can pm me anytime I'm not saying I know everything but I've had so much testing and still believe I have something sinister somewhere hugs and well wishes to you I've list 40 pounds since mine started I'm here for you If need be sincerely a caring cyber friend

    • Posted

      Aww thanks for the reply. All of these replies made me feel better. My doctor even said there is a very very very low chance I have colon cancer. He said since my medical history consist of minor bowel problems (I think my bowel is overly sensitive or something like that), I don't have alarming symptoms, no family history of colon cancer, I can put my mind at ease aND try therapy for some time. Therapy was a big help but I quit before I fully recovered. Now my symptoms are showing again, the anxiety is coming back and hitting me right in the face with the what ifs. I Google too much and after google symptoms, I feel like I start to feel them as well.

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