Colon Cancer? .. kind of worried

Hello,

First off, I'm a 21 year old white male. About 4 months ago, I become very anxious and nervous over the summer, and subsequently started noting a change in bowel movements. They were yellow-ish and would occur many times a day. They were never red or black, and I decided to go to the doctor just to have it checked out. The doctor mentioned IBS, and reassured me that colon cancer was almost out of the question just because of my age and no history of it in my family. But just to be sure, we had some general tests done. I had a blood test, which everything showed up normal, except for a high amount of bilirubin in my blood. I also had a urine analysis, which was also fine, except showing trace amounts of bilirubin as well. This lead my doctor to have me get a hepatitis panel, which came back all clear, and an ultrasound of my liver, gallbladder, pancreas, right kidney. The ultrasound also came back all fine, and we did another follow up blood test (about 1 month after the previous blood test). The doctor reported that my bilirubin levels dropped back to normal and ordered me to come in in 4 months to check again. Also, I had a stool sample done to check for parasites and occult blood which also came back negative. Other general symptoms that I've had are abdominal pain that tends to come and go all over the abdomen, but more often than not it is on the right side (upper and lower) and right flank area. I have also had some lower back pain, but it also comes and goes. The pain in general seems to be more obvious when I'm worried/anxious, and will sometimes go away for a week or two until something triggers my anxiety. Do you think it is just IBS, I've read a lot online about how people struggle to cope with the fact they might "just have IBS" and not something more serious, and I think I fall into that category. My stools now have been more often than not a brownish color, unless I become anxious and then they revert back to the yellow-ish tint. Over the last 2-3 weeks I have noticed a VERY small amount of a red/pink tint on the toilet paper, but usually not in the actual stool itself at all. Last night, my stool itself looked about 99% brown, but I thought I could maybe see a red/pink spot here or there, but it was very hard to tell. I don't know if it is just my paranoia setting in, or what. I first noticed these small areas of pink/red color after I had a bout of constipation for about a week, and then again after I was straining to have a bowel movement. My doctor assured me it was probably hemorrhoids, as I have absolutely no systematic symptoms of colon cancer, and haven't for any of the almost 5 months I have been having bowel problems. I haven't had a change in weight, any nausea/vomiting at all, no fevers, no fatigue, nothing. He said if the bleeding were to become more frequent or actually very visible, to then come back and get more things checked out. What do you guys think? Thanks!

[mammo]

I would see a Gastroenterologist to make sure it is hemorrhoids, or maybe an anal fissure, which are all benign.  You are way too young for colon cancer, even the hereditary type, but for your own peace of mind, I would see a Gastroenterologist, so that you know for sure what you're dealing with.  I do think it's either hemorrhoids or an anal fissure, and a Gastroenterologist will be able to tell you for sure and it's worth the peace of mind.  Take care.

[mammo]

I would see a Gastroenterologist to make sure it is hemorrhoids, or maybe an anal fissure, which are all benign.  You are way too young for colon cancer, even the hereditary type, but for your own peace of mind, I would see a Gastroenterologist, so that you know for sure what you're dealing with.  I do think it's either hemorrhoids or an anal fissure, and a Gastroenterologist will be able to tell you for sure and it's worth the peace of mind.  Take care.