Worried I have colon cancer

[geanpaulo]

I just had a consultation with my doctor just yesterday because of my stomach problems. I am 23 and I’m extremely worried that something is wrong with my body.

Just 3 days ago, I started pooping with blood and I had to check my anus. Turns out that I have hemorrhoids because I can feel the lump protruding but it’s not painful. So I started to take daflon and bought a faktu suppository from the nearby drugstore. Been taking this daflon for the past 4 days now and my doctor advised me to take it for atleast a week. The suppository seem to be working as well because I can’t see the same bleeding for the past days now.

Though, I’m still observing my poop and I can see some black spots on it. I admit that I’m taking iron supplements for a while now. Will this mean that the black spots were because of the supplements?

I had a CBC and Urinalysis as well and my results where all cleared. I am still scheduled to have my Ultrasound tomorrow to see if something wrong is really going on with my stomach.

As of now, I can’t feel any pain in my stomach. I started taking fiber supplements together with my iron supplements.

But for the past few weeks, I’m having difficulties having a good sleep and when I do, I only get 3-4 hours of decent sleep.

I don’t have much appetite for the past days, I feel occasional chills, tired, and lightheaded. My back also hurts every morning especially when I can’t have enough sleep. But I don’t experience extreme pain or discomfort as well.

I am just so confused and not convinced with the results. The doctor also told me that I am too young to get cancer. But he assured that my vitals were normal.

Since my CBC and Urinalysis are all normal, does that assure that I am totally fine and don’t have cancer? If that’s the case, is it just all about anxiety?

Please give me some advise! Thanks in advance!

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Dear Genapaulo,

Thank you for sharing and I'm sorry to read what you are going through.

Was this a general practicioner that you saw or a gastroenterologist?

If you do not feel that you are getting the care or additional tests that you need, we recommend you seek a second opinion.

There are many possible reasons for the symptoms you are experiencing, many of which are chronic conditions. Please note that it is incorrect that you are "too young to get cancer." Colorectal cancer in young adults is on the rise and it is important that we end the myth that young people are not able to get colorectal cancer.

Here is a link to a report from the American Cancer Society regarding the rise in colorectal cancer in young adults: cancer.org/latest-news/colo...

I do not share the above to cause you additional anxiety, I share it because we know that colorectal cancer does not only strike older individuals.

Please seek a second opinion and advocate for additional tests. You know your body and if something seems off, it is important to continue to request tests/additional opinions.

Thanks again for sharing and please keep us posted, we are here for you.

~Nicole @ GCCA