IBS or Colon Cancer

[dmt2005]

My 42 year old mother went to the doctor 2 years ago because she was concerned of possible serious problem.  She was having frequent diarhea which she had attributed to her stressfull job (teaching). (she has diarhea/sometimes constipation problems since she was a kid that were stress related usually).  Her doctor did a test for blood in her stool and found nothing and she was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  This year, she took up teaching again and has had digestive problems since she started.  Over the past few months she has been having alternating bouts of constipation/diarrhea but attributed her constipation to the fact that she does not usually have the opportunity to go to the bathroom during the day. Her constipation has been an on and off problem since the job started 4 or 5 months ago.  Just recently she her constipation turned to diarrhea.  There is no noticeable blood in her stool and she feels fine otherwise, but her digestive problems are worrisome and we are both worried that the recent changes are more than just her IBS.  Any help would be appreciated. She also had her gallbladder removed in her 20's and there is no history of colon cancer in the famlily, but her mother has diverticulitus.

[auntfufu]

This is my moto.   When in dought, check it out.
If your mother is worried, (stress does play a big part in IBS)
it might give her peace of mind to have a colonoscopy to be sure that she doesn't have colon cancer.  Knowledge is power.
Hope this helps you.

[Lynn28]

I agree with auntfufu. There are SO many things that would mimic cancer and not just colon. I'm sure it's just her IBS, BUT she should still find a GOOD Gastroenterologist in her area and GO for a check-up. Especially at her age. A colonoscopy is DUE.
To locate a good doc, try this.
www.castlecollonny.com