Does this look like colon cancer??

[heartcooksbrain3636]

Hi, I have been having diaherra and constipation and all sorts of bowel movement issues for probably 6 months now. I've also been throwing up fairly consistently for the same amount of time.. does this look bad??

[Martinmartin]

Hello, do you suffer any bleeding or weight loss? (These are red flags but they atill do not indicate bowel cancer) The symptoms you describe can be most likely attributed to irritable colon (IBS) which is very common. What is your age, weight, frequency of activity, smoking and familial status of gastrointestinal hereditary diseases?

[heartcooksbrain3636 in reply to Martinmartin]

Hi, I am only 19 which I know makes colon cancer very unlikely, I guess I am mostly on edge because my dads grandfather died of colon cancer, as well as his mother and an aunt all of similar/related cancers.. so there is a family history of that. I weigh about 170 and am fairly active for a college student of my age in the era of covid (I have a pretty demanding dog)

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to heartcooksbrain3636]

Hi Heartcooksbrain3636,

Me again... I'm sorry to read about the family history. Colorectal cancer can be hereditary but it is a very low percentage of total cases that are hereditary (around 5%). However, having said that, when there are a number of cancers as you've described, that is something to speak to your doctor about. There are a number of hereditary cancer syndromes such as Lynch Syndrome which can increase your risk of certain cancers.

Given your family history, I would strongly suggest that you speak to your doctor about genetic testing. For many people, genetic testing and finding out that they are predisposed to a particular cancer (or cancers) means that they have frequent screenings and are vigilant about any changes they see - and it can be a life saver. Again, not posting this to cause additional anxiety on top of what you are already experiencing, but I do want you to be aware and ready to speak to your doctor. MD Anderson has some great patient educational materials you may want to check out: mdanderson.org/prevention-s...

Please keep us posted when you can.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to heartcooksbrain3636]

heartcooksbrain3636 - any luck getting an appointment with the doctor?

[heartcooksbrain3636 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Yes thank you so much for your replies, I was able to make an appointment with a GP in my area for the 22nd of this month. I am honestly pretty nervous and trying to wrap my head around my symptoms so I can be prepared for my appointment is probably going to be my biggest struggle. I guess at this point I'm afraid they are going to dismiss me like they did at the ER and tell me "its probably..." and then some minor condition. The Healthcare in my area really isn't great and it seems nobody knows what they are doing, and that makes me really nervous.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to heartcooksbrain3636]

heartcooksbrain3636 - hang in there! So many people are dismissed by doctors and it takes a lot of strength to keep seeking out answers if you feel something isn't right in your body.

In advance of your appointment on the 22nd, write down as much info as you can in regards to symptoms, medications, ER visits, anything that will be helpful.

Please keep us posted after your visit.

Hang in there!

~Nicole @ GCCA

[heartcooksbrain3636 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Well so far, no news really, doctors did some bloodwork, and a pathogen panel on my stool and so far those have all been good. Just waiting on the calprotectin to help see if I could have colitis.. and waiting to schedule a colonoscopy and EGD. So hopefully once all that is taken care of I have some sort of definite answer!

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to heartcooksbrain3636]

heartcooksbrain3636 - Thanks for the update - please keep us posted when you get results.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Hello heartcooksbrain3636,

Thanks for posting, and I'm sorry to hear about the discomfort you are experiencing.

There are many possible reasons for the symptoms you are experiencing, many of which are chronic conditions. However, the only way to know for sure what is going on, and to rule out colorectal cancer, is to get checked out by a medical professional, most likely a specialist.

Have you had an annual physical? Or do you have a Gastroenterologist?

Please get this checked out. Depending on where you live, as well as insurance, you may need to start with a primary care (or general practictioner) to examine you and make a referral to a specialist.

Before you go to the doctor, it may be helpful to take notes on what you are eating each day, any physical activity, as well as any pain, vomiting and what your bowel habits are. This can help the doctor determine what may be going on with you and what tests need to be ordered.

I hope that your discomfort lessens - but please do follow up with a health professional as soon as possible.

Keep us updated when you can.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[heartcooksbrain3636 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Thank you, I had been in the ER probably a few months ago now vomiting blood and I've had it happen a few times since and honestly it seems like my symptoms are getting worse and that's what confuses me the most. The ER told me it was probably just a stomach ulcer and at the time asked if i had changes in my stool to which I answered no, then realized later that I indeed had. And then I missed my follow up appointment, im waiting on a call back from my GP right now to schedule something.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to heartcooksbrain3636]

Hi Heartcooksbrain3636,

Thanks for the reply. It is so easy to forget when you are with a doctor, I always have to bring notes (or just write notes in my phone), because I usually forget one important detail to share with the doctor.

With such severe symptoms, it really sounds like you'll need to be looked at by a specialist.

Please keep us posted and I hope things start looking up.

~Nicole@GCCA