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Colon Cancer at 23?

db1995
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Hello, basically I'm 23 years old and I'm *** scared of having Colon Cancer. I understand it's very rare at my age but I'd have some symptoms and suddenly I convince myself I have a serious problem. 

A couple of years ago I started having very large stools. I would wipe for ages and still not be clean. (Sorry for the information haha). Eventually there would be blood but I put it down to large stools and excessive wiping so just forgot about it and it eventually stopped. Now, the last 6 month's or so, sometimes blood appears and other times it doesn't.  

A few weeks back, I had very bad diarrhoea for 2 days and blood started to appear again so I went to the doctors. No inspection took place and she gave me some hemmeroids cream after I told her about my symptoms. 

Everything went back to normal for a few weeks and due to me worrying so much, I completely switched up my diet and started eating a lot more greens and fruit. 

Like I said, I was fine for a few weeks after this and I presumed the change in my diet and cream helped. But now all of a sudden, I've started getting excessive gas and I'm constantly belching. There's no blood in my actual stool but after wiping, blood tends to start appearing on the toilet paper (only a tiny bit). My stool will sometimes be normal but then will sometimes be pencil thin and considering I eat the same foods everyday, I would expect my stool to atleast stay a little consistent? I also sometimes get extremely mild stomach cramps, like I have to concentrate to identify it, but it is there. 

I haven't lost any weight, I don't feel sick and I dont feel tired all the time. As you can see, I've done my research and know the symptoms haha! 

I basically want someone to either put my mind at rest and tell me it's extremely rare and likely something else, or I want someone to worry the *** out of me so I get properly checked up again. The thought of going the doctors and having something put up me really freaks me out, but the thought of cancer freaks me out more. 

Symptoms present - 

Mild stomach cramps

Blood on toilet paper sometimes

Pencil thin stool sometimes

Burning sensation after passing stool sometimes

  • Hello and thanks for posting on the forum,

    I am sorry to hear about your situation.  I can understand that it can be worrying when symptoms just won't go away.

    As you said bowel cancer is extremely rare in someone of your age. More then 85 out of 100 bowel cancers (85%) are diagnosed in people aged 60 or over.

    Unfortunately we are unable to diagnose why you are getting these problems.  There is a condition called irritable bowel syndrome.  This can cause a change in bowel habits such as diarrhoea and constipation and is quite common in young women.  There is some information written by the NHS which you can look at here.

    There is some more information written by NHS Inform about irritable bowel syndrome.  It does have tips on helping manage your diet.  Have a look here

    If your symptoms persist please do go back to your GP. It is horrible dealing with this on your own.

    We are currently trying to get an impression of how satisfied Cancer Chat members are with the answers the nurses are posting to their questions.  We would be very grateful if you would take a few minutes to fill in the feedback survey here 

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Best Wishes,

    Catherine

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    Hi DB1995,

    I've been experiencing some of your symptoms myself but without the blood, was wondering if you was ever diagnosed with anything or your symptoms went away?

     

    all the best.

  • in reply to c.c96

    Hello

    It has been a while since DB1995 posted on the forum so they may not reply to you.  But it is also good to remember that what happened to someone else might be very different to what happens to you.  If you have any symptoms you are concerned about, the best thing to do is talk to your GP.  You wont get a diagnosis on the web and may make yourself more anxious if you ask questions on a cancer forum where many of the members have cancer.  So the best thing to do now is speak to your doctor.  

    Take care

    Martin

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    i would say your chances of having cancer are about 1%

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