Lately i have been going to the toilet and i have had some constipation for like a while now. Sometimes i have some blood on it or after i wipe. I am so nervous and scared for cancer. I went to the doctor and he said it’s probably just piles. I’m 18 (male). I also get intestinal cramps. My BM’s have also been looking kind of weird. I have also been relying on metamucil in order for me to pass a BM. Could anyone help me please? what could this be? I have also noticed some mucus aswell.
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Hi, any malignancy in your age is extremly unlikely. However haemorrhoids because of sedentary lifestyle and cracks and tears related to excessive straining/passage of hard stool) are very common. Try to work on your activity level - more movement (ignore if active) and nutrition (mostly plant based, lean meat, fruits, nuts and oats as source of high content of fibre. Metamucil is great help, but it should not replace balanced diet. In your age any serious case is highly unlikely, but it usually points at common lifestyle issues ( sedentary lifestyle , hard to digest food, lack of fluids and long toilet visits). You have very high chance of lowering your health anxiety and resolve your "bottom" issues by doing steady and slow adjustments Good luck and do cheer up!
Yes, darker poop might be simple harder to digest pieces, or pieces of stool that were longer in colon - hence constipation Do not worry, this is perfectly normal.
Okay thank you. I have also noticed that there is more undigested food in my stool so I was wondering what could cause that? I am also very active as I play hockey. This whole thing is just on my mind and i’m quite nervous about it. I have also taken note that it seems to get worse when i’m not being active. I had recently got covid so i haven’t done much these last 10 days. I’m also on minocycline (acne pills).
Thank you for posting and I'm sorry to hear about the discomfort you are experiencing.
It is possible that the symptoms you are experiencing are piles and constipation, but it is important to get checked out further if your symptoms continue.
To give you some facts, 90% of people who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer are over the age of 50.
Of the 10% that are under 50, most of those individuals were diagnosed in their 20's-40's.
That is not to say that it is impossible for someone as young as 18 to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it is just rare. However, because it is a possibility, we always encourage getting screened when you are experiencing symptoms.
Colon cancer is unique from most all other cancers in that with regular screenings, it is largely preventable, or, if colorectal cancer does develop, but is caught at an early stage, it is very treatable. Some cancers have no screening methods. Colorectal cancer has many screening methods.
Did your doctor perform a DRE (digital rectal exam)? This is where they will both look and feel with their gloved fingers, to see if an any anal fissure (tears in the anus), hemorrhoids, or something else that could be causing the bleeding. Depending on the DRE results, any symptoms you are experiencing, family history, other factors, etc. your doctor will determine if further tests need to be performed. Additionally, the doctor may use an anoscope, which gives them a clear view of your rectum. They may also do a sigmoidoscopy, which gives them visibility to the lower portion of the colon. The only way for the full colon to be examined is with a colonoscopy.
Depending on your symptoms, family history, and other factors your doctor would discuss with you, they would determine if they feel that tests are necessary to determine if there is a need to screen for colorectal cancer. Or, they may not think there's a risk of colorectal cancer, but based on the symptoms you are experiencing, they might want to do a colonoscopy so that they can actually look at your colon, take samples from your colon to test, and from there they can test for a number of gastrointestinal diseases that are not related to colorectal cancer.
Anytime something feels "off" with your body, we're going to encourage you to see a medical professional, and if you see a medical professional and you don't feel that your concerns are being taken seriously, or are being written off, we encourage second and third opinions.
Constipation can be caused by so many different things -- for instance, not moving around enough (say you are lounging in bed for a few days, even that can cause it!), certain types of foods, or not eating certain types of foods also can cause constipation. Not drinking enough fluids can cause it as well. Also, a BIG cause of constipation for many people? Certain medications. Even over-the-counter medications. So when you speak to your doctor, be sure to have a list of all your medications, even over-the-counter ones that you take.
It is a difficult balance between giving information to patients regarding following up and asking for additional tests vs. saying "well if your doctor said it is probably just hemorrhoids, that's probably what it is". However, our goal is to ensure that people experiencing symptoms, have colorectal cancer ruled out.
Many organizations are working around the globe to educate the medical community that there is no such thing as being 'too young' for colorectal cancer. We've seen people who are not even teenagers yet, be diagnosed with the disease. Yes, it is rare, but still, it is possible.
Last night I commented on a woman's post on social media that her 18-year-old daughter's death is not in vain, and that we will continue to encourage people who are experiencing symptoms, to continue to follow up with medical professionals until colorectal cancer is either ruled out or detected. We have multiple methods to screen for colorectal cancer, so if someone is experiencing symptoms, we are going to say, get it checked out. I also promised the mother last night that we will continue to reach out to the medical community and ensure that they know it is never appropriate to say "you're too young, there's no way its colorectal cancer."
If the doctor that you went to is a general practitioner and not a specialist, we would encourage you to see a specialist and discuss what tests may be appropriate.
Please let us know if you have any questions and again, this is not to cause any panic, but we want you to know why we encourage testing for anyone who experiences symptoms.
~Nicole, GCCA Staff Member & Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.
Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.
Thank you. I already went to a doc and she explained that it’s probably piles but what about the constipation and bloating? I will seek advice though, thank you.
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Good luck and do cheer up! 
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