Is this colon cancer?
Comments
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Blood in the stool is never goodTannerML said:I had another worrying
I had another worrying symptom this morning that I will have to write down. One of my stools had a bright red spot and there was a little blood when I wiped.
I only had the colonoscopy in which my cancer was discovered because I mentioned to my doctor - almost as an afterthought because I was seeing him about something else - that I had seen blood in my stool a few times. He immediately ordered me to get a colonoscopy and that's why my cancer was discovered relatively early, all things considered.
I would start your discussion in your next doctor's appointment like this: "Over the last couple of months I've had a variety of odd things going on with my bowel movements. Yesterday I saw blood in my stool and I'm concerned that it might mean cancer is present. How do I get a referral for a colonoscopy?"
Even if the blood in your stool is from a non-cancerous source, it's not a good thing.
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How many of the symtopms I amHelen321 said:I could have avoided cancr if
I could have avoided cancr if I had listenws to my body and not my idiot doctor at 28. Go to a gastroenterlogist. It's worth the visit. It could be so many other things and the way to find out ia through blood work and a visit to a gastroenterolgist. My son was having some of the problems on your list at 17 and it totally shocked the doctor that he had several ulcers. You should treat whatevwr it ia right away so you can feel better.
How many of the symtopms I am having did he have? Or you have? I am assuming you were also dismissed because your age as well.
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Agreed. What stage was yourJohn212 said:Blood in the stool is never good
I only had the colonoscopy in which my cancer was discovered because I mentioned to my doctor - almost as an afterthought because I was seeing him about something else - that I had seen blood in my stool a few times. He immediately ordered me to get a colonoscopy and that's why my cancer was discovered relatively early, all things considered.
I would start your discussion in your next doctor's appointment like this: "Over the last couple of months I've had a variety of odd things going on with my bowel movements. Yesterday I saw blood in my stool and I'm concerned that it might mean cancer is present. How do I get a referral for a colonoscopy?"
Even if the blood in your stool is from a non-cancerous source, it's not a good thing.
Agreed. What stage was your cancer? And how long had the symptoms been present? As stated above, mine have been going on since mid-November, with this instance of red spots on my stool and blood when wiping being the newest.
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Great AdviceJohn212 said:Blood in the stool is never good
I only had the colonoscopy in which my cancer was discovered because I mentioned to my doctor - almost as an afterthought because I was seeing him about something else - that I had seen blood in my stool a few times. He immediately ordered me to get a colonoscopy and that's why my cancer was discovered relatively early, all things considered.
I would start your discussion in your next doctor's appointment like this: "Over the last couple of months I've had a variety of odd things going on with my bowel movements. Yesterday I saw blood in my stool and I'm concerned that it might mean cancer is present. How do I get a referral for a colonoscopy?"
Even if the blood in your stool is from a non-cancerous source, it's not a good thing.
That's spot on. I went in to a GI with a spreadsheet of all of my symptoms. He didn't really seem concerned until he heard blood (even though I hadn't seen blood for 6 months), he immediately said colonoscopy. They seem to scope you quick when blood is involved just to be safe. I second the motion to get a referral to a GI doc if your primary isn't concerned. I had dismissed my symptoms for a couple years before I finally made an appointment, by then it was stage 4.
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DiagnosisTannerML said:Agreed. What stage was your
Agreed. What stage was your cancer? And how long had the symptoms been present? As stated above, mine have been going on since mid-November, with this instance of red spots on my stool and blood when wiping being the newest.
The colonoscopy showed a tumor in the sigmoid region of my colon. After resection, it was classified as a Stage 3b cancer. The adenocarcinoma (tumor) was contained within the wall of the colon but there were cancer cells in 2 of the 12 lymph nodes removed during surgery. The tumor was 3.5 cm long. I had noticed some blood spots very infrequently starting a month before I saw my doctor.
As everyone here will tell you, removing a colorectal cancer BEFORE it has time to break through the wall of the colon is a huge advantage in fighting the disease. Once the tumor grows to the point where it can easily slough off cells into the real estate outside the colon - such as the liver and lungs - the chances of successful treatment go down quite precipitously.
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What other symptoms did have?John212 said:Diagnosis
The colonoscopy showed a tumor in the sigmoid region of my colon. After resection, it was classified as a Stage 3b cancer. The adenocarcinoma (tumor) was contained within the wall of the colon but there were cancer cells in 2 of the 12 lymph nodes removed during surgery. The tumor was 3.5 cm long. I had noticed some blood spots very infrequently starting a month before I saw my doctor.
As everyone here will tell you, removing a colorectal cancer BEFORE it has time to break through the wall of the colon is a huge advantage in fighting the disease. Once the tumor grows to the point where it can easily slough off cells into the real estate outside the colon - such as the liver and lungs - the chances of successful treatment go down quite precipitously.
What other symptoms did have?
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NoneTannerML said:What other symptoms did have?
What other symptoms did have?
The blood in my stool was the only symptom I experienced. That's one of the reasons why colorectal cancer is so dangerous: many times there are no symptoms and the discovery is made during a routine colonoscopy.
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Bright red blood in the stoolTannerML said:I had another worrying
I had another worrying symptom this morning that I will have to write down. One of my stools had a bright red spot and there was a little blood when I wiped.
is pretty much always the result of hemorrhoids. You should certainly mention this to your doctor, but I wouldn't invest too much energy in worrying about it. If that's what it is, you can just pick up some ointment over the counter.
Good luck, hope you get some answers. FWIW, most of your symptoms don't sound cancer-related to me, but of course a doctor must make that call for you.
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Whatever it is, it needsannalexandria said:Bright red blood in the stool
is pretty much always the result of hemorrhoids. You should certainly mention this to your doctor, but I wouldn't invest too much energy in worrying about it. If that's what it is, you can just pick up some ointment over the counter.
Good luck, hope you get some answers. FWIW, most of your symptoms don't sound cancer-related to me, but of course a doctor must make that call for you.
Whatever it is, it needs checked and the blood appeared as red dots in my stool, they were smaller, just a little bigger than a grain of salt, and there were a few. There was also bright red blood when I wiped. I'm hoping that whatever this is, it can be treated.
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Symptoms
You've got a lot of advice on this board and although I've been away from the boards for a couple months I'd recommend you have further testing with a doctor that takes you seriously. My stools also showed blood and being that mine was rectal cancer, had pain sitting so that was a reason to go in. They thought it was hemorrhoids but also ordered a colonoscopy to make sure. Get that, and find out now before it can be too late. Please keep us updated on what is happening. Get a doctor that cares. If you have to get a 3rd or 5th it's your life that you are saving and not theres. Best to you.
Kim
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Went to the doctor todayAnnabelle41415 said:Symptoms
You've got a lot of advice on this board and although I've been away from the boards for a couple months I'd recommend you have further testing with a doctor that takes you seriously. My stools also showed blood and being that mine was rectal cancer, had pain sitting so that was a reason to go in. They thought it was hemorrhoids but also ordered a colonoscopy to make sure. Get that, and find out now before it can be too late. Please keep us updated on what is happening. Get a doctor that cares. If you have to get a 3rd or 5th it's your life that you are saving and not theres. Best to you.
Kim
I went to the doctor and they found stools stuck in my colon through an x-ray. They attributed this to fiber and I am going to be taking fiber supplements soon. Can can an x-ray spot tumors? They claimed everything looked normal on my x-ray, aside from the stools in my colon. This doctor seemed much more concerned than the last three I went to. They still never explained the whole lack of urge to urinate thing, though.
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You're wonderingTannerML said:Went to the doctor today
I went to the doctor and they found stools stuck in my colon through an x-ray. They attributed this to fiber and I am going to be taking fiber supplements soon. Can can an x-ray spot tumors? They claimed everything looked normal on my x-ray, aside from the stools in my colon. This doctor seemed much more concerned than the last three I went to. They still never explained the whole lack of urge to urinate thing, though.
something with every single post and you don't seem to trust what the doctor's are telling you. Your original concern is about colon cancer and I think that's why you're on this board. The best way to look for tumors in the colon is with a colonoscopy. Go get one, pay for it if you have to, and then you'll know. Good luck.
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Flip Is RightTannerML said:Went to the doctor today
I went to the doctor and they found stools stuck in my colon through an x-ray. They attributed this to fiber and I am going to be taking fiber supplements soon. Can can an x-ray spot tumors? They claimed everything looked normal on my x-ray, aside from the stools in my colon. This doctor seemed much more concerned than the last three I went to. They still never explained the whole lack of urge to urinate thing, though.
Put your mind at ease and do what Flip says. That is the definative way to know for sure and it sounds like nothing else is going to get you past this.
If you went in with all the questions and symptoms, had tests, such as x-rays, were given answers and they do not beleive you have colon cancer and still have question, nothing than a colonoscopy is going to do it for you.
You should also ask to get the radiologist report to look at it, for the x-ray and all other tests, together with a copy of the CD for the test, for your own personal medical file.
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That was meTannerML said:Went to the doctor today
I went to the doctor and they found stools stuck in my colon through an x-ray. They attributed this to fiber and I am going to be taking fiber supplements soon. Can can an x-ray spot tumors? They claimed everything looked normal on my x-ray, aside from the stools in my colon. This doctor seemed much more concerned than the last three I went to. They still never explained the whole lack of urge to urinate thing, though.
I was rushed to the emergency in excruciating pain. ER Doctor pummled my stomach, sent me for a quickie CT Scan, saw a load of poo (ok, stools) stuck in my colon and sent me home with some GoLightly, which I prompyly threw up all over the bathroom wall, ceiling, floor, shower strall and toilet. I saw it in the ER Dr's face, 'Old woman, constipated, send her home'. Because of that, I almost had a ruptured colon, and that would have been the end of me. A quick thinking GP saved my life. (Erase not so polite words about ER Doctor)
I will second, or is it fifth, the above posts. Get ye to a Gastroenterologist and have a Colonoscopy. I know, I know, they like to have a referral, but push it, or push for it. One way or another, it will say Cancer or no Cancer, and then you mind will be at ease on one thing.
Just saying!
Trubrit
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ExactlyTrubrit said:That was me
I was rushed to the emergency in excruciating pain. ER Doctor pummled my stomach, sent me for a quickie CT Scan, saw a load of poo (ok, stools) stuck in my colon and sent me home with some GoLightly, which I prompyly threw up all over the bathroom wall, ceiling, floor, shower strall and toilet. I saw it in the ER Dr's face, 'Old woman, constipated, send her home'. Because of that, I almost had a ruptured colon, and that would have been the end of me. A quick thinking GP saved my life. (Erase not so polite words about ER Doctor)
I will second, or is it fifth, the above posts. Get ye to a Gastroenterologist and have a Colonoscopy. I know, I know, they like to have a referral, but push it, or push for it. One way or another, it will say Cancer or no Cancer, and then you mind will be at ease on one thing.
Just saying!
Trubrit
Utlimately we are going to wind up to be our own best health care advocates. No doctor is perfect and issues can happen. Making sure you are being "heard" is important. The best way is laying out things clearly and precisely, which is often diffuclt to do. And sometimes things are not what they appear, such as in your situation. And the point you made with the story
As to the test, I am sixthing your fifthing of whatever count we are up to. Including double seconding my second or fifth.
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Feeling a little more worriedTrubrit said:That was me
I was rushed to the emergency in excruciating pain. ER Doctor pummled my stomach, sent me for a quickie CT Scan, saw a load of poo (ok, stools) stuck in my colon and sent me home with some GoLightly, which I prompyly threw up all over the bathroom wall, ceiling, floor, shower strall and toilet. I saw it in the ER Dr's face, 'Old woman, constipated, send her home'. Because of that, I almost had a ruptured colon, and that would have been the end of me. A quick thinking GP saved my life. (Erase not so polite words about ER Doctor)
I will second, or is it fifth, the above posts. Get ye to a Gastroenterologist and have a Colonoscopy. I know, I know, they like to have a referral, but push it, or push for it. One way or another, it will say Cancer or no Cancer, and then you mind will be at ease on one thing.
Just saying!
Trubrit
My last two bowel movements have been a little worrying the one Tuesday morning was comprised of very thin looking stools and the one tonight barely had anything come out. I need a scope sooner rather than later. Something's got to be causing and I want to know what. I know there's quite a few causes of these symptoms, none are good and need to be addressed.
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Seeing a gastro dr or aTannerML said:Feeling a little more worried
My last two bowel movements have been a little worrying the one Tuesday morning was comprised of very thin looking stools and the one tonight barely had anything come out. I need a scope sooner rather than later. Something's got to be causing and I want to know what. I know there's quite a few causes of these symptoms, none are good and need to be addressed.
Seeing a gastro dr or a colorectal dr is the best route to take. You know your body better than anyone else and not everyone are text book cases. My husband had 3 xrays. First one he was sent home with Gas-x as it looked like built up gas. 2nd xray it was a little worse and was told to take a laxative. Third xray he was told to go to ER immediately. General physicians are just that, they know a little about alot but not enough when you need a specialist. A good dr will admit to that too but pride gets in the way. I would bug them so much that they'd want to get rid of me and send me to a specialist. You gotta do what you gotta do.
Please keep us posted Tanner. My prayers are with you.
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What other symptoms did heskeets1961 said:Seeing a gastro dr or a
Seeing a gastro dr or a colorectal dr is the best route to take. You know your body better than anyone else and not everyone are text book cases. My husband had 3 xrays. First one he was sent home with Gas-x as it looked like built up gas. 2nd xray it was a little worse and was told to take a laxative. Third xray he was told to go to ER immediately. General physicians are just that, they know a little about alot but not enough when you need a specialist. A good dr will admit to that too but pride gets in the way. I would bug them so much that they'd want to get rid of me and send me to a specialist. You gotta do what you gotta do.
Please keep us posted Tanner. My prayers are with you.
What other symptoms did he have and what stage was his cancer?
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You Need To Find SomeoneTannerML said:Feeling a little more worried
My last two bowel movements have been a little worrying the one Tuesday morning was comprised of very thin looking stools and the one tonight barely had anything come out. I need a scope sooner rather than later. Something's got to be causing and I want to know what. I know there's quite a few causes of these symptoms, none are good and need to be addressed.
Go get a colononscopy. You are not going to get any answer or resoution until you do so. The tests and opinions of the doctors are things that you are not believing. So until such time as you get one, you will never get past this. Not sure where you are located, but find a sepcialist in Colon Cancer. If you cannot find one, speak to local health care services who can assist you, often thre will be some kind of social worker/health care advocate and local hospitals who may be able to point you in the right direction.
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The white bumps at the backNewHere said:You Need To Find Someone
Go get a colononscopy. You are not going to get any answer or resoution until you do so. The tests and opinions of the doctors are things that you are not believing. So until such time as you get one, you will never get past this. Not sure where you are located, but find a sepcialist in Colon Cancer. If you cannot find one, speak to local health care services who can assist you, often thre will be some kind of social worker/health care advocate and local hospitals who may be able to point you in the right direction.
The white bumps at the back of your throat indicate to me you need a tonsillectomy. That'll only get worse....the rest, I have got no clue. In our household we did not experience any of the other symptoms you were writing in regards to CRC. Just bloody stool and frequent constipation...so not sure about your other issues...
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