Scared I have bowel cancer - female 20

Hey,

So about 2 years ago I had hemorrhoids which were treated well. About 1 year later I had blood in my poo which I was informed was due to internal hemorrhoids but no tests were run. I had to take a rectal tablet whenever I pooped and the issue cleared up for 2 months, before arising again, over and over for about 8 months total. My issues then totally cleared.

Until this last 2 months or so. I've been pooping extremely regularly recently. Maybe 3 times a day average. The poop is greenish in color and randomly I have been having bad stomach pains once every fortnight or so.

I was diagnosed with IBS as a child but this mostly cleared in my early teens.

I've had a blood test result come back as positive for infection or inflammation and did my stool test a few days ago, however, haven't heard since.

Realistically what are the odds this is bowel cancer?

Thanks.

  • I'm no expert, but given your age and the fact that you have a history of hemorrhoids and IBS, I'd say quite low. A year ago, at the age of 40, I experienced rectal bleeding, weight loss, some loose stools (maybe once a week) and trapped wind and the specialist said that given I was "young" (in medical terms), the odds of bowel cancer were "less than 1%" and I'd be "the unluckiest person in the world" if that turned out to be the solution.

    It turned out to be hemorrhoids.

    I know you have the additional issue of the tests, but I would imagine something like IBD or an infection or something would be far more likely than cancer.