Abnormal Bowel Movements

I'm 46 years old. My dad was diagnosed with colon/liver cancer just a few months ago and my grandmonther had colon cancer too. For the last few months my bowel movements have been totally different. The regularity, consistency and smell are all different. Plus, there is mucus and blood in my stool and I have a harder time controlling my movements.

I do not have any abnominal pain but I am more bloated, etc.

What could these symptoms be caused by?  Ulcerative colitis? Chrone's Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrone?

Thank You.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

With a family history of colon cancer, you are at increased risk.  Screening with a colonoscopy (preferably) should be done at age 40 to evaluate for cancer or polyps.

There are many diseases that can cause your symptoms.  Of course, any type of colorectal cancer can cause a change in bowel habits.  

The presence of blood can be caused by cancer, polyps, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis or irritable bowel syndrome.  

The presence of mucous and bloating may also be indicative of some sort of malabsorption syndrome.  To evaluate for this, a sample of stool needs to be collected to measure fat content.  Blood tests for celiac disease may also be considered.  

The first test I would do would be a colonoscopy.  This can evaluate for cancer, polyps, or diverticulosis, and also can suggest inflammatory bowel disease.  If that is negative, I would consider a workup for malabsorption with stool tests for fecal fat and possibly blood tests for celiac disease.  

If every single diagnostic test is negative, then irritable bowel syndrome may be considered - however, this is a diagnosis of exclusion.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[mrstsmitty]

I am a 34 y/o female who had the same symptoms and was tested (colonoscopy).  Because of my age, cancer not being in my family history, it was IMPOSSIBLE for me to have colon cancer.  Well guess what, at age 32, I was diagnosed with colon cancer and because I was blessed to have the symptoms of the blood and mucos in my stool (which in some cases are NO symptoms), I went to the doctor.  I was informed if I would've waited a year later, it could not have been anything the docs could do.  Since my surgery, I have been CANCER FREE, but have had polyps.  Now I am POLYP FREE.

I think your body is telling you something, now you have to listen.

[BaByJ420]

I dont know whats wrong wit me..Im only 16 years old and like my bowel movements arent normal..A few times there was this flem (phlegm) like stuff that came out and than sometimes it came out soft and with pieces of food like peas and corn..or sometimes it came out soft or like a golden brown color..is that normal im not to sure..Its only been happening within the past like week or so.. And ive been having menstrual problems...I started April 2001 and since than ive been having an ubnormal cycle and I started on birthcontrol only took the sunday and Monday pill and threw them out for some stupid reason..Following that I got my period 2 times in a month and than didnt get it for like almost 2 months and i got it this past sunday but its very light and this is my 4th day...Could you please give me some advice..

[jilkim]

I am 50 years of age and have always have hard bowel movements, until last week.  After lunch, my stomach didn't feel "right" and that feeling lasted 4 days.  On the 5th day. "all hell broke loose"--I first had very soft movements, 2 powerful ones within an hour of each other.  The next day I had diarrhea, and on the 7th day, and since then, I have lighter colored stool, very soft, but not diarrhea, but sometimes I don't even know it's coming out of me, till I turn around & get surprised when I look into the toilet. Now I'm afraid to "push", even a little.  I first thought this was a virus, but now I don't know.  Did you ever hear of such strange symtoms (symptoms)?  And I doubt it can be food poisoning because my family ate what I ate and they are fine.

[jilkim]

I am 50 years of age and have always have hard bowel movements, until last week.  After lunch, my stomach didn't feel "right" and that feeling lasted 4 days.  On the 5th day. "all hell broke loose"--I first had very soft movements, 2 powerful ones within an hour of each other.  The next day I had diarrhea, and on the 7th day, and since then, I have lighter colored stool, very soft, but not diarrhea, but sometimes I don't even know it's coming out of me, till I turn around & get surprised when I look into the toilet. Now I'm afraid to "push", even a little.  I first thought this was a virus, but now I don't know.  Did you ever hear of such strange symtoms (symptoms)?  And I doubt it can be food poisoning because my family ate what I ate and they are fine.

[[e-mail]]

I am a 34 year old woman who has constant bloating for the past 12 weeks, also  i have had regular movements with great urgancy that are either solid or loose. after each movement i hve noticed fecal fluid on my underwear on my next visit to the toilet this is now happening almost every time i pass a motion. due to the bloating i feel sick most of the time. i currently take 20mgs of omeperezole at night and have a hitaus hernia. i have cleaned myself properly after each bowl movement and sometimes i have fresh blood on the tissue paper but iam sure that is related to a pile. i never have  had daily bowel movements i usually go every 2 or 3 days.

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[xxlala76xx]

I am 34 years old, I had a colonoscopy 3 years ago because I kept having abdominal pain before and during bowel movements, and was also concerned since my grandmother had colon cancer. They found 2 polyps and removed them, they also found that I had diverticulitis and recommended fiber. 3 years later I find myself with worse abdominal pain, and blood in my stool. Im wondering if its just the diverticulitis or is cancer possible?