Symptoms/age when diagnosed

micheleamw

Hi All~

I think something was posted at one time relating to this, but I was unable to locate. I am interested in learning at what age people are being diagnosed and if they had any symptoms. In January 2004, my Dad was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer at the age of 59. He had NO symptoms. I am happy to report that today he is still doing well.

Hugs and prayers to all~
Michele

mum-of-four

Hi Michele

I was 37 and had had intermittent (sp?) bleeding and increased frequency of bowel movements - that was it! It wasn't that easy to tell that the blood was actually blood either.

Best wishes

Kerry

Sunriver

Hi Micheleamw,

I was 54 (almost 55) when diagnosed (stage 2a - August 2006). I had an intermittent pain in my side which I thought might be some type of digestion problem.

Patrusha

As it is often said, the first symptom of colon cancer is no symptom at all.

I was diagnosed at age 49 after suffering for seven years with intermittent diahrrea and told that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. No other symptoms. A Fecal Occult Blood Test came back negative, too, yet I had a large tumor growing in there that was taken out two months later.

shubunkin

my mom was 46 when diagnosed, i think she has irrtable bowel symptoms but other than that nothing.

usakat

Excellent survey Michele! Great idea....

I'm 42 and was diagnosed this May with HNPCC (genetic) stage III colon cancer - ascending (right side) colon. My first symptoms were a dull ache on the right side of my abdomen that eventually turned into a large hard spot that I could see and feel. I thought it was a bad ovary so I had a Pap and pelvic exam, which turned out great so I dismissed it. Not long after I had a few bouts of serious bleeding, after which bowel habits drastically changed. I was diagnosed within a month.

usakat

Excellent survey Michele! Great idea....

I'm 42 and was diagnosed this May with HNPCC (genetic) stage III colon cancer - ascending (right side) colon. My first symptoms were a dull ache on the right side of my abdomen that eventually turned into a large hard spot that I could see and feel. I thought it was a bad ovary so I had a Pap and pelvic exam, which turned out great so I dismissed it. Not long after I had a few bouts of serious bleeding, after which bowel habits drastically changed. I was diagnosed within a month.

My mom's first colon cancer diagnosis was at 51, so given my family history of cancer I should have had my first colonoscopy at 40. If I had insisted having one my cancer would have been diagnosed sooner and thus treatment easier. I'm seeing a pattern of people being diagnosed younger than 50. Duh...can we change the screening guidelines PLEASE!

steelerfan

Hi Michele, I was diagnosed in 9/04 at the age of 45. I had very little symptoms. Once in while a little blood that very well could have been overlooked. A few times I felt bloated and once in a while I felt like something was still there after a bowel movement--but I didn't feel like I still had to go. Sometimes I felt soreness in the area of my tailbone after sitting for a while. These symptoms were so few and far between that I didn't really pay much attention to them. I very easily could have ignored them completely. I was diagnosed in 8/03 with Diabetes and for that year, my bowel habits did change from frequent loose stools daily to going once a day or every other day but that was all attributed to my change in diet and the medication I was taking for my Diabetes. I lost about 50 pounds that year and never felt better. Then I got the Cancer diagnosis. I fully believe that I would have blown off the symptoms had I not been diagnosed with the Diabetes first because I was trying to take such good care of myself. As it turned out, my Cancer was found early--no mets and no lymph node involvement. So I guess the moral of the story is--pay attention to your own body and investigate symptoms no matter how slight. Continued good health to your Dad!

P.S. Just curious--did your Dad go for a screening or what led to his diagnosis since he didn't have symptoms?

spongebob

Michele -

Diagnosed at 36 with tumors in the same spot as USAKAT. Pathology said I had been sick since age 33.

Check out http://www.colondar.com Lots of personal stories there with young ages.

scouty

dxed at 49 stage IV with the only symptoms being a slight change in bowel shapes, nothing else. My rectal tumor had probably been growing 5-10 years which would mean 1-2 physicals and fecal occult tests missed it (my tumor was not a bleeder).

Lisa P.

debralla

scouty said:

dxed at 49 stage IV with the only symptoms being a slight change in bowel shapes, nothing else. My rectal tumor had probably been growing 5-10 years which would mean 1-2 physicals and fecal occult tests missed it (my tumor was not a bleeder).

Lisa P.

Hello
I was dxed when I was 45 with stage 4 (liver mets ) . really didn't have any symptoms until about 2 months prior . I was having some stomach issues and thought I had a bad case of the flu or some gallbladder problem . Boy was I wrong !!! Now thinking back I always had constipation issues . and would get a bloated feeling every once in awhile , My tumors were not bleeders either .
Take Care and God Bless.
Debra

ron50

Hi Michele,
I was dx at age 48. Had been considered an IBS sufferer for around 10 yrs. I could feel the cancer but was told I had a loose loop of bowel????? My b/habits were either long skinny stools or explosive dia'h. Scope showed a large mass in th des colon . The scope was not able to pass it and the GI suggested I was close to stricture ,with possible gangrene ect. Had emergency surgery resulting in a stage3 dx into 6 lymph nodes. So yes heaps of symptoms just couldn't get a doctor to listen. It has been nearly 9 years and I still have problems getting docs to listen:) Ron.

jana11

I was diagnosed at 32 years old - stage 3. I had rectal bleeding for 10 months that my doctor refused to do anything!! And change in caliber of stool. No risk factors what so ever! jana

Susanbm

March, 2005, I was 45 when I was diagnosed with Stage III with 1 lymph node. Small amount of blood in stool for at least 6 months, thought it was hemorrhoids. I even looked it up on the internet and convinced myself it was no big deal. No other symptoms or pain. I eventually had a "gross bleed" which was actually caused by a hemorrhoid that burst while I was working in the yard. Even then, never occurred to me it could be cancer but heard how painful hemorrhoid surgery could be so I decided to get it checked out. Had colonoscopy on a Wed and surgery on Friday. Chemo for 6 months and Avastin for 1 year. Saw my oncologist yesterday and I'm still NED! Praise be to God.

cal79

Hi Michelle,

I was dx with rectal cancer at age 25 (no family history - negative for all genetic tests available). I had rectal bleeding for several years, but the tests were ordered because I had severe recurring anaemia.

Cal

AuthorUnknown

Hi Michele,

Hubby was dx'd in 06/05 with stage 4.(age 54) About a year before, he had tests for gallbladder, and had always complained of indigestion. Doc advised that if treatment did not help, he needed a colonscopy. Hubby did not remember that. Several months later he began to have diahrrea. When I learned that it had lasted several weeks I called the gastro doctor and set up an appointment. (He had decided not to go back to any doctor) By the time of the appointment, he was ready and willing to go as he had been having pain about a week and feeling that he always had "to go". The turmor was so large they could not complete scope. He was immediatley transferred to the hospital and remained until surgery. Doctors then advised our son to have a colonscopy (he thought that he had seen some blood). At age 29 he had a polyp almost too large to be removed during the procedure. It was a bleeder. Doctor was so surprised. Said left another two years he would have had cancer too. He is 29.

I think that the guidelines need to be updated. But most of all people need to understand that it can happen to them and with few or no symptoms.

Betty

jerseysue

Dx'd age 41 with stage IV mets to ovaries and uterus and many nodes. No symptoms I had a dull ache in my right side which I thought was my ovary. That's what got me to a doctor.

impactzone

47 stage 4, 8/28/06. I had some smaller stools and some blood in stool. The Dr saw hemmoroids when I first went in 1 year before but with no history he thought that was it.

PGLGreg

Was 63 when diagnosed 11/05. Only symptom had been a little blood in stool starting 7/05. I'm surprised at the young ages I see so far in this thread.

Greg

Joy1216

I was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer this spring at age 56. I had no symptoms and no risk factors. The tumor was found during my first colonoscopy. Joy

KathiM

Age 49. Stage III rectal cancer. Loose stool, finally back pain when my 2 INCH tumor pressed against my tailbone!!!!!! sigh...thought to have been growing 3-4 years...
Stage IIb breast cancer followed 3 months after...I'm special!!!!
Hugs, Kathi