Cancer ?

[Kswift99]

Hi, I have been experiencing chronic constipation for around two years now. This has been on and off but more on. I've had mucus and blood now on and off for about 6 months. The past 2 months has been pretty much consistent blood and mucus but this is not a great deal in amount. It is usually on the tissue and I think on the surface of stool not inside. Blood is bright red. I have no pain apart from a slight ripping occasionally when I've finished/doing bowel movement. I cant be sure but I remember the blood started when I had a really painful poo but I'm 50 50 about that. I've got no visible piles and I take constipation sachets daily often on and off (when I didnt have blood I didnt take them consistently my own fault i know) and this will often give me normal bowel movements with no blood but occasionally still have the blood especially when straining. I'm worried it might be cancer if anyone can share similar symptoms id be really grateful. I've had a positive fit test recently and due colonoscopy. The Dr said she put me on 2 week waiting list which said is urgent which has made me more worried

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Kswift99,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected.

You are smart to get this checked out as you are doing. You stated the only pain is when you are actually pooing. So there has not been actual on-going abdominal pain which is good. So what you are doing is going to narrow down the cause of the blood. Because right now, it could be anything. And since this has been going on for 2 months on a consistent basis, all the more reason to get that colonoscopy and get some definite answers.

There are many causes for blood in the stool, some are very treatable with medication, diet change, and minor procedures, and of course, there are more serious reasons for blood in the stool as well. For that reason, we always advise patients to seek medical care when they have blood in the stool.

I wouldn't worry about the positive FIT test. That looks for blood in the stool and you already knew that. You are definitely on your way to getting answers.

Again, at this point it could be a lot of reasons. You are after answers. Please focus on that and don't worry. You just need to narrow the causes down and go from there. Not sure how a 2 week waiting list is urgent. It sounds like your doctor wants to get the information ASAP which is good. That's exactly what you want as well. The sooner you know, the sooner the treatment to resolve can begin.

We wish you all the best. Please keep us informed about your coloscopy findings. My two cents on the "prep" for a colonoscopy ... move everything up 1 hour on whatever regiment of prep your doctor gets you. If it's thick, add more water. If the taste isn't good, I would add Gatorade lime (nothing red) to the mix. It can make things a little more tollerable.

All the best ... and don't "worry". You're getting answers!!!

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - 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.

[junik53]

Hi,I have exact same symptoms as you and like you was very worried it could have be cancer ,like you I was put on the cancer pathway and had the colonoscopy,bloods ext and all came back ok nothing found,I was given the sachets for constipation and like you get a bit lazy taking them ,it looks as though as long as I take codeine for pain I will be on laxatives.Also a few months later the poo test came through the post and that was also clear. I was told that the blood that is bright red is from either piles or from tearing when poo is hard . Hope your results are the same ,please let us know .

[Sunshine8240 in reply to junik53]

I dont know who told you blood that is bright red is piles or a tear and not cancer. It just isn't true. I kept reading that and being told that too so I thought it was a hemmorhoid as my gp said and left it to get progressively worse over the course of 7 months. In fact a year if you count the few spots I got originally of blood. It got so bad (as you can see from my post last week). I ended up being anemic from the blood loss. I have an upper rectal tumour, discovered by colonoscopy on Saturday. This is the reason the blood is bright red because the tumour is low down in the bowel. Tumours higher up are darker blood. I'm not trying to scare anybody but if thos helps just one person get their "bright red" bleeding checked out by a colonoscopy and prevents a cancer being ignored then it is worth it. My bleeding has been as bright red and fresh as can be. However, I am unlucky, more often than not it will be piles, hemmhoroid or colitis/ chrohns but its so important to rule out cancer as it is so treatable when caught early.

[Alloagirl]

Hi Kswift99, I too had a positive FIT test. I was put on the 2 week pathway. It took longer than that but was fairly quick. Yes I was certain I had cancer as I had diarrhoea and stomach pain. Make sure you take the full prep. It isn’t nice but clears your bowels for a good exam. I had four benign polyps removed and some biopsies. I have diverticulosis and haemorrhoids. No cancer. Now I will have a colonoscopy every three years because of the polyps. Like you I suffer intimitant constipation. So I just take Lactulose now and again. My haemorrhoids are internal by the way. So good luck with your tests.

[Kswift99]

Thanks for replies, I think I'm more worried as my blood tests came back im low in iron and made me overthink that I'm bleeding inside from something sinister I'm only 30 but I do know iron can be caused by diet and my diet isn't the best sometimes

[Sunshine8240]

Kswift99 as you feel a ripping when you go to the toilet and you've been constipated it does sound like it could be a fissure. I just wanted to make people aware who are googling their symptoms that they shouldn't ignore any sort of bleeding, push for colonoscopy. I wasn't trying to frighten you and I hope I didn't. When is your colonoscopy? Message me if you want any tips good luck x

[Kswift99 in reply to Sunshine8240]

No I know, although I am scared but I know u meant good intentions. I dont know when it is they just said up to 2 weeks. I wish you the best too x x

[Tranquility248]

I had a positive cologuard test and flipped out for three weeks thinking I had cancer. Never had symptoms of cancer just constipation and I did see bright red blood in my stool. I googled symptoms all day every day fearing the worse. Had a colonoscopy 3 weeks ago had 5 polyps removed all benign thank goodness however I did find out I have diverticulosis. But I want to say bypass these do at home tests and just go for the colonoscopy. Yes the prep is disgusting but one day of drinking something disgusting and getting the proper test is far better than self diagnosing yourself. Cancer has no age limit people. Don't screw around with your health.

[Martin3488]

updates?

[Kswift99]

Hi everyone good news I got the all clear a while ago. I couldn't log on here to reply. I still bleed occasionally but turns out it was just tear from constipation