Possible colon cancer?

My medical history is long and complicated.  I had a borderline ovarian cancer in '04.  Had a total abdominal hysterectomy and no chemo or radiation was needed.  The prognosis for that is excellent.  Had my gallbladder removed in the Spring of '05 because of stones.  

I had emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia & bowel resection in '09.  About 10cm of my small intestine was removed.  I had another emergency hernia surgery in 2011.  A third hernia was diagnosed this past fall after a ct scan.  I'm still waiting to see if they will do the surgery or not.  The surgeon I saw is trying to get me to do weight loss surgery at the same time.

I've been holding off on the surgery because I live in a horrid apartment and am desperately trying to move.  

Anyway, I had flu symptoms w/abdominal pain about a month ago and went to the ER.  They did another ct scan and all it showed was the hernia and severe arthritis in my spine.  I was told they thought there was a partial obstruction but after a doctor reviewed it (I think from my surgeon's office) they said there was  no obstruction.

I've had IBS for over 20 years.  I went through a battery of tests before they gave me that diagnosis.  Rectal bleeding was the primary symptom I was concerned about, so that's why I had it checked out.  Rectal bleeding hasn't occurred much since then until the past 3-4 years.

It happens off and on.  Sometimes a little, sometimes more.  In between my surgery in '09 and '11 I went to the ER for rectal bleeding and they did a FOBT.  It was positive for a very small amount of blood, but I was told that my backside was raw (sorry about the tmi).  Weird thing is, it didn't feel raw to me at the time.

A followup FOBT at my primary care md's was negative.

About two weeks after my most recent ct scan I had more rectal bleeding - blood on the stool, tp and in the toilet.  Not alot, but it was enough for me to notice it.  Last night I had more bleeding.  On the stool, tp and a small amount in the toilet.  The amount of blood on the paper made it looked like my period, but it wasn't alot.  Maybe a tablespoon's worth?  (sorry about the tmi).

Sometimes when I have bowel movements, esp. if they are frequent, it will hurt like heck to sit afterwards.  It feels like I'm sitting on daggers and it takes awhile for me to be painless after that.  Sometimes I wipe frequently enough to see  some pink or very minor blood on the paper.

I'm 50 years old, which is about the age they recommend that people get colonoscopies.  I've had two or three of those, the most recent of which was probably about 10 years ago.

Is it likely that even though my most recent ct scans were negative (except for the hernia and arthritis) that I could have cancer?  Is it possible to have polyps that bleed but are not cancerous?  Is it true that colon cancer is slow-growing, and if this is what I have, do I have time to nip it in the bud before it's too late?

I'm scared I might have colon cancer.  One of my surgeons from '09 once asked me "why do you always think the worst?"  My response was "Because I've been through so much."  I don't know what I'll do if they tell me I've got cancer again.  How will I tell my family?    Help!

[mammo]

Hi...well you sure have had your share of problems...bless your heart.  It's imperative that you get a colonoscopy ASAP, not only because you're 50 but the bleeding.  Polyps do bleed and they always turn cancerous.  But when caught early they can be removed during your scope.  Early detection is key to everything with our health, so don't let fear stop you from getting scoped...it could save your life!  The only way for doctors to know what is going on in the colon is to scope you so that they can view the inside of the colon and stomach.  But hemorrhoids also bleed a lot and can be very painful...so let's not think the worst.  Get your scope and nip this in the bud!  I wish you all the best, and let us know what you find out.

[anginaberryz]

Hi,
     In colon cancer there is uncontrollably cell can grown and can damage the healthy tissue so early detection is the key of healthy life, proper treatment at its early stage can cure such problem.