rectal/stool with blood and scared!

[Mallory]

I would like anyone with any help to reply. I am a 30 yearold female that is scared because of blood in/on stool and occassionaly on paper. My grandmother died of colon cancer and I fear this. I had a rectal exam that showed no hemmhroids and a fecal occolt test that showed blood in stool was present. The blood is usually dark in color with two times being bright red. I notice it in stool more than on paper and its dark and I am scared. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for the end of November because I am pregnant. I am not that far along (1 1/2 months) and that just makes me more scared. I am very upset about this and really fear colon cancer as it is in my family and the blood is dark and in stool than on paper. Please anyone have any help. I keep praying and try to have faith that this will be ok. Thank you.

[MARY ANN]

thanks katey i forgot about the polyps ,katey is correct it could be from polyps . if in fact that turns out to be the problem you need to keep in mind it is recomended to get a colonoscopy every two years so if they return (and they quite often do )they can be removed. the chances of the polyps being cancerious is slim because in  most cases they are not.try not to let your mind wonder to far to the negitive side of things. so you can keep yourself and the baby healthy .better yet as you said so you can injoy your first pregnancy. (the first)it only comes once so don't let this rob you of that joy no matter what this turns out to be .i know from going through many things with my health that it is easier said than done .but if you set your heart and mind to it you will be happy spite all that you are going through .may god bless and keep you well.                                                                                                   mary ann

[katey]

Internal hemmorhoids usually do not hurt, and show very few symptoms except for the bleeding.  I don't understand what your doc ment by you are bleeding from a part where you don't always see it.  Did he/she explain that to you??  I've had my internal hemmorhoids for MONTHS, and they're just showing symtoms of pain and other things now, i guess they're getting bigger :-(, lol.  Anyway, please don't be scared!!!  Cancer would be the last thing you would be diagnosed with.  At the WORST, i would guess it may be a polyp, and a symptom of that is painless rectal bleeding.  During your colonoscopy, they'll just snip it off, eliminating any chance it causing problems down the road.  You'll be ok!! :-D

[Mallory]

Hi everyone that has responded to me, I so appreciate your help and thoughts for me. I am truly trying to enjoy my first pregnancy and am trying not to worry. I don't bleed every day (that I can see anyway) The gynecologist thinks I need this test and said it will be safe during my 2nd trimester. I don't have any other symptom really except the blood, no strain, nothing. Just recently I have been having late night pressure like gas, but don't know if it is a pregnancy thing or related to my colon, stomach, etc... I sure appreciate all of you and i hope that I can just feel stupid when this is all over. I don't understand why some days there is blood within stool and some not, but the doctor who did the fecal occult test said that I was bleeding from somewhere and that you don't always see the blood. So, anyway I appreciate all the support and pray that this is an internal hemmohroid. (Do they exhibit any other symptoms? Do they hurt? I don't have pain) I know I worry about the colon cancer because my grandmother died of it. i think she had a lot of blood and some diarrah with hers, but not sure. I just know I'm scared. Thanks Again. P.S. my regualar doctor keeps telling me that I am too young for cancer and I all but argued with him about that. Last year my fiancee' had a heart attack at 28 years old. So I  don't put much into age!!!

[katey]

don't worry sweety :-)
soon you'll have that scope done and all this worrying will just be a BAD memory.  I went through this same thing a couple months ago, and i had the same symptoms as you.  Even before i had the colonoscopy they had ruled out hemmorhoids with another scope, and it wasn't until the colonoscopy that they found the internal hemmorhoids that made my life hell since may!  i worried my whole summer away.  I was SO sure i had it.  I lost 15 pounds, and had every symptom, and it just turned out to be stress.  I felt so dumb, lol.  Even though it is possible to get cancer at your age, it is RARE, and keep reminding yourself that.  Your grandparent had it, right??  You're not at the same risk at you would be if it had been your mother or father that had it, i don't believe you are at that much of a higher risk at all actually.  There are too many other possibilities that it could be.  Since you have the blood on the toilet paper as well, i'm better on internal hemmorhoids.  They're a whole lot of fun!!  I can't get rid of the damn things.  No matter what, you'll be ok.  You're colonoscopy is soon.  Pregnancy is supposed to be the happiest time of your life!!!!  Don't let fear ruin it for you!!!

[MARY ANN]

hi again ,i was  sitting and thinking about the many different things that could be causing your bleeding it could be many things and a lot of them are simply solved and some are not. and believe me i have a lot of digesttive problems and i have done a great deal of reading on the digestive system.but i would only be guess working your problem and possibley raising your fears even more .my point is there is no true way of knowing until the colonoscopy is done.and i know you are pregnant and that no doubt has you worried also. i don't think adding to that fear would be healthy for you at this point.i know the waiting and not knowing is the worst part, but for your health and the babies health try to think positive and to relax as much as possible.as you know stress is not a good thing for a pregnant woman .november is right around the corner and it will be over before you know it .just to put your mind at ease the colonoscopy is normaly a painless test they no doubt will put you under, and patients can not recall any part of what happened during the test . there is little or no disconfort after the completion of the test .think positive(smile)i wish you well.god bless. mary ann

[Mallory]

maryann, Thank you so much for your encouragement. I try to have as much faith as I can about this. I don't know that much about ulcers. Ive never really had any pain just blood. About 2 months ago I had blood and then here recently. The doctors tell me internal hemmohroids could be present, however I just don't think that's the case and remembering my grandmother's fight with colon cancer really scares me. I'm glad you are recovering fine and God bless you and thank you for responding.

[goodgal31]

Hi I just read this, I think Colon cancer usually occurs later in life.. I remember reading like age 55+.  I know my Grandfather had some colon cancer removed, and that was like 30 years ago, he is 87 now.. so I can understand your fears for certain.  One thing I know is dark blood is "old" blood and if its red its typically from the rectum or hemeroids... so it has occured somewhere in the intestinal track.  Do you experience any pain or infection?  LIke fever or chills?  I've also heard of diverticulitis? ,sp>? that is an ulcerated colon that can bleed etc.

Listen, it will due you NO good to worry.  HOw long has it been going on?  Does your Dr feel that he strongly wants to scope you even though your pregnant, what does he say about it?  I would call him up and tell him hey, i've got this thing scheduled in November and in my pregnancy "state" Its for my own mental well being that you give me some form of feedback as to what you think may be happening.. its your right to know and get an opinion.  Call him now before the end of the day and tell him you want his personal opinion of what he thinks and feels it is! and if he is concerned.

Good luck to you!!!!

[MARY ANN]

i'm not trying to say you are incorrect but colon cancer does not exclude any age group, it can hit any one. i come from a long family history of various  cancers ,colon cancer being the one found  most. the worst thing any one can do is say they are to young to get it because when doctors think like that(and they do quite often )it can cost someone their life.because they don't catch it in time.i am a firm believer that if cancer is caught in time the patient has a much higher survival rate.and i believe they have already ruled out hemmrhoids she had a test done. the test she is having done is one of the best for finding digestive problems hiden or other wise.her doctor is doing better than most ,i felt i was going crazy just trying to get the correct test done .she is just a little scared .and it is a natural reaction.i was afarid when i was told i was having colon surgery .but when i thought about it, i said there is a good side to this they found the problem. they fixed it and now i am able to go through a day with out being in severe pain or wondering every day what is this  .  but as i said it could be something quite simple .but the test is the only way to know for sure .the one thing you said is very true mallory does need to speak to her obgyn and make sure it does not put the baby at risk.but no doubt the gastro doc has already thought of that .but i would ask any way mallory just to make sure .wishing you well malory and goodgal. mary ann

[MARY ANN]

hi mallory, i know you are scared so was i have a great deal of colon cancer in my family .the test they have ordered for you is the best in detecting colon cancer and just about any digestive problem you might have .i had it done prior to colon surgery they found no cancer but they did how ever find severe extensive diverticulitis disease they were able to repair it with out me having to use a bag .and now i am recovering well and out and about after only 5 weeks .i know it is hard not to let your fear over take you but it could be as simple as ulcers or it could be other digestive problems not related to cancer. if you need some one to talk to i am all ears and my prayers are with you may god bless you  .mary ann