**graphic pic** i’m terrified i have colon cancer.

[imscaredofcancer]

a little over month ago, i had some red in my poop. i did drink a red protein drink and my poop was red. i got really nervous and went to the dr and was just told my gut was probably inflamed because i had mexican food the day before, but if i continued to have red in my poop (i thought at the time it was blood) to come back.

i am a major hypochondriac and i am now FREAKING OUT. i pooped just now, and please see the pic (sorry it’s nasty) but there was blood. i swear i pooped it out. it just felt like it. it is actually almost my time of the month as well, but im lightly bleeding and there shouldn’t be clots right now. does this look like colon cancer? does this look like something i need to take to my doctor again? pls help me i keep crying. i’m so scared. i’m only 24.

[imscaredofcancer]

also; as far as i know and have been told colon cancer does not run in my family. i don’t have abdominal pain, but i feel like my bowel movements differ now than earlier this year and month (maybe because i focus and stress more about it).

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi imscaredofcancer,

Thanks for posting with us. It’s good to hear you don’t have other symptoms or hereditary medical issues. I’m glad you know that as many don’t think about it.

First, you know what’s normal for you. Sounds like you ventured out with some spicy foods and red protein drink. Get back to your normal foods and evaluate from there. I know when I eat outside my circle of normal, it may not go well. I’m big on hydration and when I get too much fruit punch Gatorade I see it later. I go back to lemon lime and it’s good.

Has this happened to you before? For me, if I eat something completely new to me, it may not go well. Or something normal for me, but I eat too much of it, it may not go well. I’ve learned this over time and I have some medical issues as well. That’s just me.

Now, any time there is blood in the stool there needs to be an answer. You know your norm. Get food and drink to your norm and evaluate from there. There is no harm in getting things checked out and getting answers. There are tests and procedures to do just that. A FIT test can detect blood in the stool. Knowing that info, you can go from there. Also, you are young. That’s a good thing. But symptoms know no age. Never accept a diagnosis based on your age as you’re too young for something. The symptom is what it is and should be diagnosed as such.

We do wish you the best in getting answers and putting yourself on a path to being well and putting this behind you. Get yourself back to your norm and evaluate from there. And please let us know how this turns out. You’re not the only one dealing with things like this. Your info and insight can be helpful to others as well.

All the best,

Tom