Overthinking colon cancer?

[Isaacg26]

Hello there, I’m an 18 year old who is currently paranoid on if he has colon cancer. Since April of 2021, I have inferred that I have hemmoroids, do to the fact of an itchy and irritated anus from time to time after wiping, and as well as small red blood spots on the toilet paper. It wasn’t until September of 2021 when I started becoming paranoid, since my blood has a spot or two of blood. This has occurred from time to time, but never have I defecated straight blood, or straight red or black stool. My fear I believe lies in that what I thought was hemorrhoids is actually colon cancer. So far I don’t really experience any excruciating pain in the abdomen, but am paranoid everytime my bowels make a noise or movement, or if I feel any sort of cramp or feeling around the abdomen. I’ve talked it out with family who have tried to calm me down, but I can’t seem to get it out of my mind, and have been told that no doctor is necessary. If you could please help in clarifying in any way that I do have hemorrhoids rather than colon cancer, it would be very much appreciated.

[Isaacg26]

I want to also include that I have been recently frequently burping, they are small burps. Also I feel as though I pass gas frequently. Not too sure if this has anything to do with it, or maybe it’s something else?

[Martinmartin]

I suppose that no one replied yet, because a chance of colon cancer at your age is somewhere around winning a lottery. Even if you have inherited factors, the chances are extremely low. Even more so in your age. Moreover, the differential diagnosis shows that vast majority of people with red flag symptoms are actually not having cancer. Incidence grows with age. Your symptoms are very common for haemmorhoids, IBS or polyps. In case of more serious causes I would go with IBD, such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns disease. These however are accompanied by severe symptoms - you have not describwd any of them. Firstly, try to change diet for the one rich in fibre, protein and lean meat. Secondly, exercise and do more movement. Thirdly, try anal suppositories and haemorrhoid ointment for a longer period of time. If you do not see any improvement after app. 2 months then go to GP and try to get a referral to specialist. They may or may not find the cause of your trouble as most of the digestive issues are functional and do not have anu obvious cause. I guess when you mention cancer they will ask you to visit a specialist for health anxiety as well. As colon cancer is slow growing it is nearly unseen to find someone at your age with this diagnosis. Other more casual, yet annoying diagnosis are however extremely common. And they can be alleviated or resolved by healthy lifestyle Deal with anxiety first, follow the steps I recommended and maybe in 3 months you will look back and think there was "too much ado about nothing".

[Isaacg26 in reply to Martinmartin]

Thank you so much, recently bought a hemorrhoid cream and applied it which caused the area to burn, to which I presume is because of the like of hemorrhoids. It really is a bad habit of me to automatically think the worst, which then causes stress and possibly anxiety, which probably then only affects my health. I believe my stress sprouts health problems which then mimicked that of “colon cancer” in which I merely confuse the 2 and apply it to cancer. Really need to sit back and take into consideration that I have no serious pain, or even history of cancer to begin with. Thank you for taking your time to reply, past couple of weeks have been rough mentally, and really needed some reassurance. Once again, thank you.

[Martinmartin in reply to Isaacg26]

No worries. Btw. your symptoms did not mimick colon cancer. There are no tell-tale signs of colon cancer. Only red flags with low sensitivity. Those are symptoms increasing in intensity - mostly rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, being accompanied by systemic issues - weight loss and iron deficiency anemia. Yet they do not reveal anything without proper diagnostic method. For someone of your age they are not used to rule out malignancy but to come to root cause of digestive issues. Btw. what is your BMI, diet and activity level? Are you hemorrhoids internal or external - palpable? Do you suffer of any stress, trauma etc?

[Isaacg26 in reply to Martinmartin]

I’m honestly not too sure whether the hemorrhoids are internal or external, it’s just been assumption due to past wiping of the stool and having small red dots of blood. I weight around 129-135 it’s been awhile since I’ve weighed myself, and my diet was not too tier healthy, but definitely not horrific, sometimes a cereal or eggs for breakfast, and then whatever my mom would assign for lunch and dinner. Take out food would have its occurrence quite frequently in my past diet which I infer has cause for not the best of bowel movements, but since the emergence of this worry I have stopped take out food, sodas, and any sort of greasy or fried food, and have resorted to healthier fresh fit food, home cooked meals, and primarily water. I’ve also began to take probiotics to help potentially reset the internal tract. Also I’m not professionally diagnosed with stress or anxiety, but infer that I might have anxiety, but do suffers from stress regularly on a personal level.

[Martinmartin in reply to Isaacg26]

Good, so you are on a good course, relax, continue with current lifestyle, move a lot and buy haemorrhoid ointment with internal applicator and suppositories. Ointment after emptying your bowel and one suppisitory when going to sleep. Search for the one with lidocaine. It will numb the haemorrhoids Also do not sit and strain on the toilet for too long. If it does not get better after several weeks don't be shy and talk to the GP. You are on a good way to resolve your issue. Take care!

[CRCAdvocate]

Sorry to hear you are going through this. Please consult your doctor and keep track of any symptoms, bleeding or changes with your bowel movements. There are several screening tests you can ask speak with your doctor about, including: FIT, FOBT, stool DNA, double-contrast barium enema, virtual colonoscopy and colonoscopy.

For more information on screening, please visit our website: Global Colon Cancer Association https/:GlobalCCA.org

[Abbeey]

I was diagnosed with colon cancer 6 months ago. Whilst talking to the doctor he told me he was now seeing people in their 20s with the disease. Please see your doctor for an exam. It isn’t painful (my daughter just had one) but it could stop it developing in future.

My daughter is 22.

There is a 99% chance it’s nothing but please get checked and put your mind at rest. It’s a win win situation if you do.