Colon cancer symptoms?

I'm 35/female, 21 weeks pg with my 4th child.  I have never been diagnosed with IBS but do have family members with it and in the past I have had mild syptoms (symptoms).  Seven weeks ago I began passing large amounts of mucus with my stool, with occasional bright red or pink blood on the toilet tissue.  The mucus has remained constant. although sometimes there is more than others,sometimes I only pass mucus, and the bleeding is very scant.  Stools are a light brown color, but I have to go 4-5 times a day, once a week I'll have diarrhea, once or twice a week, constipation.  I have used the home tests for occult blood and they have been negative.  Intestinal infections, parasites, hemorrhoids and tears have been ruled out.  I have an appt with GI next week, but it's taken me over two months to be taken seriously.  There is no history of colon cancer in my family but my mom had 3 benign polyps removed at age 50.  My OB says that it is safe to perform a colonscopy on a pg woman, but I don't know if the GI will and what other options do I have?  

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The most comprehensive way to evaluate for colon cancer would be to obtain a colonoscopy.  

The question of urgency should be addressed with your personal physician.  If the GI physician feels it can wait, it can be addressed after the pregnancy.  

Otherwise, there are little options.  Imaging studies can be considered, but this will expose the fetus to radiation.

It may be best to wait until after the pregnancy if at all possible, unless the GI physician feels this is an urgent situation.

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.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com