Blood on toilet paper

[Asiago4]

Around a week a half ago I noticed a little blood on the toilet paper after I wiped a few times. This happens to me ever few months, and I typically thought I was wiping too hard. This time I decided to set a doctors appointment. By the time I had the appointment a week later the bleeding and irritation were gone. The doctor said I had skin tags near my anus most likely from healed hemorrhoids, but also made a referral for a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer. My anxiety is now through the roof. Should I be this worried?

[Asiago4]

How long after a referral does it take to get the colonoscopy? The stress is getting hard to manage

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Asiago4,

Thank You for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. I am proud of you for getting things checked out. A lot of people let things go and they become a big deal later. I like the idea your doctor wants to "to rule out colon cancer" but there are many things that could be causing your symptoms. Should you be worried ... No. I think you are ahead of the game and getting answers early. That's the way to do it.

The colonoscopy will go a long way in getting you good answers. It will help narrow down what could be causing your symptoms as well as rule out other things and will definitely yield good information.

Do you have a family history of cancer? Have you had any other symptoms like abdominal pain or changes in your stool (other than the blood)? There can be all kinds of things causing this. Your doctor wants to go right to getting answers. Know that that's a good thing.

I get an annual colonoscopy as a part of my surveillance as I am a stage 4 colon cancer survivor. I also get an annual CT scan, but it's the colonoscopy that can see a great deal more especially if things are very early stages. It will give you a wealth of knowledge and also set you on a good path healthcare wise. My first colonoscopy was at age 49, but given what I know now, I should have been getting one at age 36.

I don't know what country you are from, but my routine colonoscopies here in the US usually require 4-6 weeks, but it's surveillance for me now😁. When I had a tumor growing out of my colon, I got one the next day😲. the colonoscopy can happen very quickly when it needs to. How quickly it happens is a direct result of how urgent you doctor schedules you for one. Right after my CT scan revealed a large mass growing out of my colon, he left the room and came back 5 minutes later and said I had a colonoscopy tomorrow morning.

Blood in the stool is definitely a symptom to find the cause. Getting on a path to getting well is important. Other things like having abdominal pain would be urgent. And even 'urgent' could mean other things besides cancer.

We do wish you the very best in getting answers to your problem. I've got some colonoscopy tips if you want them. You will be glad you got one as it will leave no doubt in your mind what's going on and put you at peace. Please don't let anxiety drive you through the roof. Be positive in knowing what you are doing will be very beneficial and getting good answers early is key. You are doing that.

Thank You,

~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.

[Asiago4 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

My father just recent passed away from bladder cancer, which is why my anxiety has been high. I don’t think I have had other symptoms. I typically go between 1-3 time a day and my stool is typically snake like around 1 inch sometimes a little smaller

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Asiago4]

I'm sorry to hear about your father. That is never easy and fully understand your concern.

One thing you may want to do is getting genetic testing to see if there is a hereditary component for you and your family. It's a blood test and let's you 'know your biomarkers'. That can be very beneficial information for you and your family members. When it was discovered I had the biomarker MSI-H, all my family on my father's side needed to be tested as well. I have Lynch Syndrome and that's what has me getting screened annually.

The colonoscopy can expose any issues occurring in the wall lining of the colon. It's being proactive and very beneficial. I think you have a good doctor going after that information. I think you are all over this and are doing the right things.👍

Just an fyi ... There are many test that can be very beneficial. Tests like Galeri which is a blood test that can detect dead cancer cells in your blood and can determine exactly where they came from. It can see over 50 different types of cancer and many of which have no screening process. That is something your doctor can do or you can do on your own. It's usually for people with a higher risk.

[Asiago4]

Thank you. I order a FIT test to see if there is blood in my stood, and I am trying to find a stool DNA test that is under $1000. Also, what questions should I as the gastroenterologist regarding the colonoscopy when he/she calls?