For the past few days I have had watery stool which is mostly blood. Today it's been little floating balls with blood in it. I am a 19 year old male and worried I have cancer and worst thing I could of done was google it as it says cancer.
It doesn't always mean cancer so this is not to worry you at all, but to ensure you are getting checked out. Please call the GP in the morning as there is no point speculating on here.
At 19, cancer is probably unlikely. I am 41 and over the summer, I had some rectal bleeding and other symptoms and the consultant said that at my age, cancer would be the least likely of the causes he'd be considering. While it can happen much younger, I think something like 90% of those who get colon cancer are over 50 and only a few small number are under 40, so you would have to be unlucky. The consultant told me I'd have to be "the unluckiest person in the world" to get bowel cancer at my age and I am more than twice your age.
Many things can cause blood in the stool, from IBD (probably a lot more common than cancer, at your age) to certain infections, hemorrhoids, fissures, polyps... And quite a few of those could cause watery stool as well.
The internet will tend to give you the worst options because those are the ones that are most likely to get notice. You will get articles saying, "you need to get this symptom checked out because it's cancer." You won't really get articles saying "it might be an infection."
Best of luck; I hope it does turn out to be something minor.
I am hoping it is just something simple and easy to sort just worrying a lot. I always try my best to stay off google but I always end up on it. I am my own enemy.... if u don't mind me asking what was causing your bleeding? Did u have a tender tummy and sore lower back. Mine yummy and back have been in so much pain
Hemorrhoids appear to be the cause in my case. No, I didn't have a sore lower back. Did have some gas pains and stuff, but in my case, the bleeding seemed to be more from my anus.
I am sorry to hear you are concerned about some symptoms. Bowel cancer would be very rare in someone of your young age so try not to google as it can increase anxiety and be misleading. You probably have a stomach virus, so try and eat bland foods and drink plenty of water over the next few days.
Symptoms can be caused by various things and usually settle by themselves after a while and won't be the result of cancer. However if symptoms persist or get worse then we usually suggest people arrange an appointment to talk things through with their GP. They are in the best position to assess you and then can arrange more tests to find out what the cause might be and can suggest things that might help you.
I hope it's just a little bug. Would a bug cause my tummy to be tender and have pain at my ribs and lower back? I always make myself worse by worrying I always think the worst I just really hope it's not cancer tho
Unfortunately I am not in a position to be able to say why you are experiencing lower back and rib pain, but infections can cause inflammation which can in turn cause soreness and pain while pain can sometimes be felt further away from its starting point.
When people are worried our usual advice is not to spend too much time online looking for answers and instead actively do things that distract you from thinking about it.
Waiting for my bloods and stool sample results. But just worrying so much as am only 19 and cancer is my biggest fear and it's getting to my head so easily
Worry and anxiety can be really difficult to manage and can feel overwhelming. Take a look at the NHS Every Mind Matters website which has tips about how to cope. And please believe that cancer isn't the most likely explanation for your symptoms.
