Mucus and rectal bleeding

Hi,

I'm a bit worried as two weeks ago I started experiencing a bit of bleeding accompanied by yellow mucus during bowel movements. I'm not sure how it actually started, but it had been Halloween weekend and I'd been drinking quite a lot with friends. I'm not sure if this could have led to it, but I've been looking online and seeing that this can be a sign of colorectal cancer. I'm only 23 so I also read it can be quite rare at this age.

I went to my doctor about it and he thought it might be a bacterial infection and prescribed me antibiotics and something to help with mucus and digestion. The blood and mucus actually did clear up for about 5 days but then it came back again.

I don't usually experience much pain with it, but it did feel like there was some pain around the anus area. My doctor actually asked me if I thought it could be a hemorrhoid problem, but I have no idea.

I've now been referred to see a gastroenterologist as my doctor thinks I should perhaps have a colonoscopy/endoscopy to get the bottom of it. 

Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm quite worried about it all, I've never had this before.

  • I didn't have the mucus but did have rectal bleeding, along with some other symptoms. Mucus and blood can be caused by many things, I think and the doctor said that at my age (40), cancer is the least likely of the various options as it is mostly a disease of older people. While not impossible, there are loads of more likely options, such as hemorrhoids, fissures, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's, an infection...

  • Thanks for your reply!

    I'm really hoping it isn't cancer, I don't really have many other symptoms than the blood and mucus.

    I feel like it could be a hemorrhoid or fissure problem. Fingers crossed, anyway.

  • Hey I appreciate this must be a scary time for you as seeing blood etc makes the mind think the worst. 
    But you have done the right thing by going to the doc's early! I'm 39, I've been having colonoscopy's for over 6 years now, I ended up in hospital in the first place after passing quite allot of blood one morning. Turns out im a polyp man and a rare case...The procedure sounds awful but in reality you will be out before you know it. The worst part is the prep (drink) I would highly recommend having some strong Orange Squash to mix in. 
     

    As mentioned before do your best not to overthink things or Google! 

     

  • Hi there, I know it's a worrying time but well done on being  proactive and getting things checked out. Fingers crossed for you that things won't take too long to move forward and get sorted out x