Scared of stomach/colon cancer

[Emyong]

Alright so, I'm age 21 and over the past 9 months I've been freaking out about the possibility of stomach/colon cancer. Before I get into things I want to talk about my background of bowl habits

I've always had constipation since I was a baby according to my parents and I remember since age of 12 of having tremendously painful bathroom trips. At 12 I bad my first ass ripping poo. Yes. Ass ripping. It was so bad to where I couldn't physically sit on my bum for a few hours because it hurt me that bad. A few years later, still constipated mind you, at around age 16 or 17 I started to have these painful trips again but became more relevant. In my 20s going on to 21 I started to ONLY have these ass ripping bathroom trips! I was always stopped up and always looking at the toilet paper and seeing blood from the hurtful poos. When I turned 21 and still had these trips but also noticed I weighed a lot less than usual (I'm usually 120-124lb but it dropped down to 116-112lb) sooOOoo I decided to go to the doctor in which I was prescribed Miralax to take as needed. This worked and still works till this day BUT the only reason why I'm worried about stomach/colon cancer is because I have been feeling discomfort in my stomach and have noticed BLACK SPECKS in my stool plus the weight loss!! I went to the doctor for that and went through a ct scan just last month. Turns out I had a ovarian cyst that ruptured and caused inflammation...............which is fantastic and no big deal but....it didn't cover what I am truly worried about!!!!! Since then I have been experiencing some gnarly symptoms! My poo has been changing colors and forms from being yellow to regular or mucusy. Sometimes very thin stools as well and I can't help but to freak out and assume cancer because of what I read online. My recent symptoms have been things like slight discomfort in specific places of my belly and abnormal stools with occasional black specks. I have a colonoscopy coming up here in August but I can't help but feel like I need to get it done sooner or else I'm done for and cancer will get me I'm just so tired of being scared of my own stomach.

Has anyone else out there dealt with anything like this too? I know it's a lot of information but my stomach has changed so much since I've been 20...and it's just freaking me out.....

I'll be so happy to hear from anyone really..even if it's just comforting words I would really appreciate it....

[Hidden]

Let me first ask you this: Whose idea was it for the colonoscopy? If it’s yours, the doc probably didn’t think it was anything to worry about.

Did they test your bowels? Like, take a sample?

I dropped from 127 - 117 during high anxiety. No lie. I thought I had cancer, AIDS, MS... every single disease. It was from stress and panic.

When I was younger (16) I thought I had colon cancer. I have IBS and also got super constipated as a child. It triggered blood to be in my bowels and I noticed it after I thought I had colon cancer cuz of yellow, green, mucusy poo! No lie.

They did a sample and it was all negative. I begged for a colonoscopy.

They only found IBS. I instantly moved to another fear.

Moral of the story: you are not going to feel better until you get that appointment. But you need to decide how to manage. You won’t lose more weight unless you stop eating. Your body knows how to maintain weight under stress.

Is anyone else worried? I’m not. I’m also not a doctor. Just lending an ear.. and hopefully a little comfort. ❤️

[Emyong in reply to Hidden]

Hello!!! Thank you for responding so quickly! I'll answer your questions in order.

It was my doctors idea to get the colonoscopy and the ct scan. I left out quite a bit of information because I didnt want to make my post too lengthy. Anyways, I went to the doc and when she had pressed on my lower right side I felt pain in my upper abdomen. So she said let's get a ct scan and colonoscopy. I got the ct scan out of the way which showed the ruptures ovarian cyst.

No they didn't take a stool sample. I think what is really throwing me off is the strange stools and black specks within them.

Also, I have been managing pretty well lately but since my stools haven't been showing any signs of improvement I started to loose control again and freaked out.....

I'm really glad someone else has had similar experiences. Thank you for the comfort! <3 I really appreciate it!

[Hidden in reply to Emyong]

You are so welcome! I’d be lost without this forum.

I’m so glad they found the ovarian cyst! A friend’s sister had one and they sound VERY painful. Are you ok?

They should go a stool sample! I just googled black flecks - keep in mind that the SCARY things have really really apparent symptoms. What’s your diet like?

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

^ I’ve had flecks before and it was berries!

I’m glad you feel ok!!! Let’s keep the convo going!

[Emyong in reply to Hidden]

Yes! I'm okay! And yeeaah I've heard that they can be very painful! And I remember feeling pain in my ovary for many years (not including PMS pains) but it was never unbearable. I suppose I probably had a cyst there for a while and it finally decided to burst?? I'm not really sure about the cyst lol. I'm just glad I didnt experience any serious pain while having it, just a few uncomfortable moments.

As far as my diet and the black specks, I've tracked my diet and there wasn't really anything that was a definite cause. I eat a lot of breads and snacks plus fast foods. Sometimes a few vegetables and fruits but not any that would cause the specks.

Although I did have an incident where I ate watermelon and it went straight through me and I thought it was a piece of my intestines LOL thank God it wasn't

[FordMus84]

I, too started having bowel changes in my early 20’s and out of abundance of precaution I had my first colonoscopy and upper endoscopy at 23. Nothing was found. Doctor is even hesitant to call it IBS. I found that my constipation and bowel changes is very much related to the amount of fiber and water I consume.

[Emyong in reply to FordMus84]

Oh yeah?? Interesting. Maybe it's an aging factor.... I've tried fiber before but sadly I didn't know how to manage it and thought it made my matters worse due to the fiber adding "bulk" to the stool. And since my poos were ass ripping I assumed it would further my discomfort

[FordMus84 in reply to Emyong]

Yes. I did the exact same thing. Too much fiber. I bought Metamucil and it made things worse. Then I bought psyllium husk and I add that to my fruit smoothies or non dairy yogurt and it works great!! I started everyday other day and with varying amounts until I got it figured it. No more thin or flat stool. I still have the discomfort every now and then on my sides but I think that’s just my nervous self giving me aches.

[Emyong in reply to FordMus84]

Yeah Haha. Thank you very more for the information! I may give it a go soon!

[Ironj]

The yellow means your stool is moving to fast throughout your intestines. Also color changes are very common. If you want an answer immediately go on amazon and buy a FIT test. It checks for colon cancer at home very accurate at 99%. I would get a colonoscopy anyway, but if you want to calm your nerves but the FIT test. Best wishes John

[Emyong in reply to Ironj]

Thank you for the advice! I'll be sure to check it out!

[Ironj in reply to Emyong]

Your welcome .. I know it’s hard but I would encourage you to stay away from Dr Google it will drive you crazy. Best wishes I’m sure you’ll be just fine.

[Emyong in reply to Ironj]

For sure!!! Thank you! I've been pretty good about not resorting to Dr Google but I gave in these past few days...not good lol. I appreciate it!

[Kkimm]

Hi

It would be very very unusual to have bowel or stomach cancer at your age. Colonoscopy is to look for other things as well as cancer and your GP may have recommended it more to put your mind at ease anyway.

Try really hard to put it to the back of your mind and not worry about it.

Very best wishes.

Kim

[Emyong in reply to Kkimm]

Thank you very much for your comforting words. I will try my best!! I was in a dark place for the past few days leading up to this post but I'll try to keep myself in check!

[kmcleodslc]

Hey, I know exactly how you feel! I’ve been terrified of stomach and colon cancer for the last 4 years and I’m 30. I have abdominal pain, unusual bowel movements, anaemia, lack of energy, mucus in stools and the occasional black spots. I went to my GP and they told me I have GERD and IBS. For years I have been worried that it’s a misdiagnosis but now I’m trying to be more positive about it all and say to myself “if it was cancer I would know by now” just try and relax, put faith in the doctors that if they genuinely thought it was something sinister they would test you sooner. There’s no point in worry about what you can’t control (the very definition of anxiety, I know lol) but find ways to distract yourself and try and not focus on it. At least now you know you’re not the only one. X

[Emyong in reply to kmcleodslc]

Thank you so much!!! I will try to believe in my doctors from here on...and yes! it's really nice to hear that I'm not alone! I was actually shocked at how many people have responded seeing how this is my first time doing any kind of post like this before. It's really nice not being alone on this

[kmcleodslc in reply to Emyong]

That’s exactly why I joined, it’s really nice to know it’s not just you that feels this way. It makes it all seem a little less daunting! Just make sure you’re looking after yourself and you will be fine. X

[Emyong in reply to kmcleodslc]

Thank you very much!

[Chicago22]

Maybe to much marilax