is this hemorrhoids or should I be right to be worried

[GLH1209]

I’m a 31 year old female. I went to the bathroom yesterday and after a.. sizeable bowel movement noticed some blood in the toilet. This has happened before so I wasn’t too concerned, but I just went to the restroom again today and after I flushed the first time I thought I noticed blood. This was a normal bowel movement. After wiping I looked back in the toilet and saw this photo attached. I’ve always had problems with hemorrhoids but is this that? Should I request a colonoscopy? I went to a dr last year and he didn’t even really look into what I was saying, just dismissed it as hemorrhoids and told me I could get a colonoscopy if I wanted but he didn’t think it was necessary. I don’t have any other symptoms. Bowel movements are consistent. No cramping or bloating or weight loss. Appreciate any insights.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi GLH1209,

Thanks for posting with us. I hate to hear you’re having to deal with this. Any time there is blood in the stool there needs to be an answer. I’m glad you’re not ignoring it. It could be hemorrhoids. It could be a lot of things causing this. It just needs to be narrowed down.

When you went to the doctor last year, were you having these same symptoms? Because if a physical exam doesn’t find the apparent reason for blood in the stool, then a colonoscopy should be the next course of action. I would think for peace of mind, go ahead, get one.

Another thing to think about is if there are any hereditary medical issues within your family. This would be good for the doctor to know as well and it could lead to other tests needing to be done.

I do wish you the best in finding out what’s going on. Please do let us know what you eventually find out as it is that kind of information that can be beneficial to others on this site as well.

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.

[GLH1209 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thank you so much for your response. When I first had blood in stool I was 21 and had a physical exam where the dr immediately said it was hemorrhoids. Last year when I went, the Dr didn’t for a physical exam at all other than pushing on my stomach. I’ve had the same symptoms for 10 years. I think for peace of mind I’m going to see another dr and ask for a colonoscopy to be safe. I don’t have any family history of this, but my husbands mom passed of colon cancer so it’s always top of mind for me to stay on these kinds of things.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to GLH1209]

Yes. 10 years without a really good answer. You are young, but you need answers. It could be a lot of things but you need to know. The doctor that you visited and got this response "dismissed it as hemorrhoids and told me I could get a colonoscopy if I wanted but he didn’t think it was necessary." Blood in the stool without a definite answer warrants a colonoscopy to get answers. And please do let us know what you find out.

Just thinking out loud 🤔... I'm sorry to hear about your husband's mother. His mother must have been very young at the time. Has your husband's family gotten any genetic testing to know if there is a hereditary aspect to his mother's cancer? If not, your husband could do genetic testing to see if he carries a hereditary mutation. It's a blood draw. It's easy to know and good to know as well. His mother having colon cancer is a good reason to know. Places like LabCorp, 23&Me, Ansestry.com can do this.

In my case, we don't know if my grandfather or grandmother had Lynch Syndrome (one of them did), but we do know my father had it, and one of his sisters had it as well. Two of her son's had it and passed away from colon cancer very young (36 & 41). I have it but my brother does not. So my father passed it to me but not my brother.