COULD THIS BE CANCER? :(

[Jjpalkz0024]

Plucked out all of my courage to post here.

I've been experiencing bloody stool for more than a month now. At first my poop has a streak of red, later my stool becomes greenish black (often when I ate vegetables), reddish or orange stool included in lumps of brown or sometimes all of 'em are red orange-y brownish..

Other symptoms are:

-stabbing mild pain in the morning under ribs, pain in mid belly when feeling hungry, pressing sensation/pain in lower abdomen both left and right sometime after eating, then poking pain in the pelvis area. Sometimes in the back as well

-acid reflux/heartburn, especially when hungry but most after eating I keep on burping and I can feel so much gas in my belly

I can also see white lumps in the back of my throat and lumpy feeling in throat, probably due to acid so I really avoid lying down after eating. Lumpy feeling subsides sometimes

-cold hands not sure if weather or anemia. Recent temp check is 36.9°

-hot sensation in stomach long after eating/midnight around 1-3am like hungry

I do feel weak. But probably also due to the anxiety and stress also.

I had this one episode mid Nov where I had extreme stomachache and had 3-day diarrhea like stools, not sure if bloody

-I think pain intensifies when I'm approaching my monthly period, don't know if related. My stomach really acts up during these times ever since

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In my life, stool with mucus, soft or mushy stool had been normal. Doctor during med exam said this could be normal depending on person and diet so I wasn't really alarmed at first

Also, ever since, whenever I drink water in the morning after waking up I can feel it rush into my stomach and then urge to poop right then and there. So I figured I had IBS. Ever since doctor told me it's stress-induced cause I also feel sudden tightness and acid in belly whenever nervous, stressed, etc.

~

But now is a different story as I can see blood and experiencing poking pain here and there.

Ps: probiotic drinks etc somehow helps to ALMOST normalize my stool. Not sure though

I can't go to the doctor yet due to intense covid cases and financial restraints.

Can a special fecal test show signs of cancer? That examining DNA?

I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE. I'M REALLY SCARED..

Anyone have an idea what could this be?

--

Image taken just this morning.

[Jjpalkz0024]

Added:I'm a female. 26y/o

My father just died last week of May and I was really depressed. My gut's acting up cause of the stress. I can feel the acid and stuff.

Also habit of eating late and skip breakfast. Just eat brunch.

Just to note also, I've had acid reflux I think from 2018 that comes on and off depending on my eating habits. You know in office sometimes you rest after eating and that's when it attacks cause you sit immediately or lie down. Ive had one moment early this yr when I skipped dinner and had a breakdown, I had this extreme acidic pain in my belly and vomited, head ached for quite a while.

Gonna add some more info when I remember. Hoping for your response T.T

[Cece88 in reply to Jjpalkz0024]

I’m sorry to hear about your father, sometimes stress and anxiety has a lot to do with our symptoms. I aso been impacted by Covid-19. The clinic I used to work for they all closed down permanently and I’ve been without a job for almost 3 months now and ofc no health insurance, I really understand what you are going through, I was able to look for an appointment out of pocket, you don’t need a referral or nothing, just go to this website ColonoscopyAssist.com it’s very easy to use. Overall I ended up paying $1074. I know this is a lot but I was able to pay with my credit card. It’s so much better than paying $3500. Every other place I called to have a colonoscopy done was no less than $3,000. So my colonoscopy is this coming up Tuesday they were able to schedule me the next day I filled out the application. So please if you have a credit card pay with it, it will be worth it, a least you will know if it is “C” or not or other medical problem such as colitis, ulcers etc, you are young too it’s rarely that it would be “C” unless you have family history of bowel cancer.... but definitely after you have your colonoscopy and it’s nothing serious just follow up with your pcp for more blood work to make sure the problem is not coming from your stomach/gastritis since you mentioned other symptoms but most important colonoscopy.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Cece88]

Hi Cece88 ,I'm glad to hear you were able to utilize colonoscopyassist. My experience with them has been that they really are trying to make it more accessible for people to get a colonoscopy. While I wish it was less expensive, I completely agree with you that it is way less than the other prices you were quoted.

Your colonoscopy will take place tomorrow, is that correct? I hope that you are handling the prep okay and that you have an easy procedure.

Please update us when you have a chance. I'm so glad you are getting screened.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[Iqbal1984]

Speak to your GP speak to specialist

[Jazzy1990]

I don’t see any blood on your stool? Could be that texture due to what you ate?

[Jjpalkz0024 in reply to Jazzy1990]

I think it has. I can see some sort of red mixed with mucus. But if not, like what I described in my post, I have previously had bloody stools, reddish orange and at first has streak of bright red. Also the other symptoms, so... 😥

Yesterday I ate liver and meat.

[Jazzy1990 in reply to Jjpalkz0024]

You’re very young, and that’s a positive. Many times our stool does look reddish but that could be due to something we ate.have you been tot he doctors to check if you have a fissure or hemorrhoids?

[Jjpalkz0024 in reply to Jazzy1990]

Not yet. Nearby hospitals only accept emergency patients as much as possible due to covid. There are a lot of cases here. Also, financial constraints..my cash flow is heavily impacted by the pandemic.

So this could really mean cancer? 😭

All of my symptoms?

No fever, vomiting though. Just to note.

I am an Introvert, not so physically active after college. And admittedly live a stressful life on top of unbalanced diet.

Yes too young so I'm hoping it's not the case

[Jazzy1990 in reply to Jjpalkz0024]

It’s could be so many different things. Do not worry. I don’t even think your stool looks red at all. It could just be a hemorrhoid and fissure or worse case scenario colitis.

[Cindylynn1]

Colonoscopy!! I was diagnosed in my 20’s with IBS but never given a colonoscopy. I’m 50 and just recently (late August) had emergency surgery to remove a large tumor and 11 inches of colon (stage 2 adenocarcinoma) never knew life without stomach issues but never could get proper testing done. Yes, certain cancers can be evident in fecal tests. Bloodwork never showed anything. I’m anemic. Past year had mucous and bloody stools with a sulfur smell. It could be several things but colonoscopies and CT scans show a lot. I had 2 obstructions and am very lucky to be alive and only be a stage 2. I was so immune to the pain and always assumed it was the IBS ...I WAS WRONG!! Getting ready to start 6 months of chemotherapy. Yes, stress and anxiety does cause stomach pain but it’s better to be safe. My primary sent me straight to the ER after hearing my symptoms and it saved my life. I know several people who have passed at very young age with colon cancer (20’s and 30’s) my case is a very controversial one here in my town because I’m considered very young. I am now a walking, talking billboard spokesperson who reminds others constantly to get screened! Do some digging and research to find low cost ways to get screened. I’m in central Florida and have no insurance and I’m getting assistance. Good luck to you and God bless.

[Nicole_GCCA Partner in reply to Cindylynn1]

Dear Cindylynn1 ,Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm so glad that you are here with us and that your primary sent you to the ER.

Do you know if you have had your biomarkers tested? The results can impact treatment options. As science progresses, there are tumor mutations that can be treated with targeted therapy. We built a website to explain biomarker testing in non-medical terminology - check out knowyourbiomarker.org

Thank you for being that walking billboard telling others to get screened! Unfortunately, there is no such thing as "too young for colon cancer" anymore. Yes, 90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are over 50, but that still means 10% are under 50, and colorectal cancer is largely preventable and treatable when detected early.

Please keep us updated on your treatment - we're here for you!

~Nicole @ GCCA

[Cindylynn1 in reply to Nicole_GCCA]

Thank you. Yes, they have tested me for so much already. I’m still learning and trying to grasp all of this, but here’s what I know so far. My tumor was successfully removed with the emergency surgery. They tested 24 lymph nodes, instead of the usual 12, and all are clear. The cancer invaded the colon wall, and did get into surrounding tissue (also removed) a full scan was done with no other organs affected. Genetics testing was done on me using my results, and the multiple cancers in my very large family. No mutations, and it seems mine is just random. (They tell me that’s good news??) 2nd colonoscopy was done because they couldn’t get a good reading on my 1st because of my 2 obstructions. I am stage 2 adenocarcinoma. I’m told it’s an aggressive form, and I’m awaiting a port placement for 6 months of chemo. Right now I have an 11% chance of it returning within 3 years, but with chemo, it will bring it down to 6%. I’m going for it!!

[Derron256 in reply to Cindylynn1]

Where u getting blood in you stool too

[Cindylynn1 in reply to Derron256]

Yes. First mucus, then blood

[Nicole_GCCA Partner]

Dear Jjpalkz0024 ,Thank you for posting, and I'm so sorry for your loss of your father. Stress and anxiety can absolutely make GI symptoms worse, but as you know, it isn't so easy to just "turn off" the stress and relax (if only it were that easy!)

Just as other members here commented, getting checked out and having a colonoscopy is a good idea.

I do not suggest a colonoscopy just to rule out colorectal cancer (although it will be able to determine that as well), but also because there are so many other conditions that could be causing these symptoms, and a colonoscopy can help diagnose. They may take biopsies during the colonoscopy that can diagnose a number or conditions that are not cancer.

Have you tried getting an appointment and the doctor's office has turned you down?

Persistence can pay off often, or even just sharing with the person who answers the phone at the doctor's office that you are really anxious and experiencing symptoms... sometimes asking for a waiting list or what they suggest you can do to get in sooner is helpful.

Please keep us posted on your progress in getting an appointment. I hope you will not have to wait too long because of COVID, we have had a number of members have to wait quite some time and it is such a shame and of course creates more anxiety, which in turn can make GI symptoms much worse.

I know this is really hard to do - but try to relax and put your energy into being your own health advocate and getting seen/examined.

If you let me know what country you are in, I will see if there are any organizations we know that might be able to offer you some local support.

Hang in there, and again, so sorry for your loss. We're here for you.

~Nicole @ GCCA

[heyimscared]

Hey any updates?

[Jjpalkz0024 in reply to heyimscared]

Hi there. I am still getting occasional soft or mushy stools but I had my diet monitored since I a posted this and somehow pinpointed trigger foods. Fiber-rich foods like banana make my stool bigger and brown (normal). I did not go through colonoscopy especially since I felt better now. How are you? Hope you are well.