Passing Mucus

[mjkm]

I am a healthy 30 yo mother of two.  I have in the past (year or so) had one or two isolated passing of mucus/blood after a stool which I had attributed to a hemroid (which I could feel and see upon inspection).

Last week I passed a lot of blood tinged mucus over the course of a two day period.  Those two days I had many small BM as well, but no diareha.  Over the week, I have had normal looking BM without any overt blood or mucus.  I did however have some stomach/intestinal distress.  I saw my primary doc who did a digital exam (normal) and took blood and I gave a stool sample to test for infection (results not known).  She also referred to a specialist.  

Last night, after a day of gas and stomach upset, I began to again pass the blood stained mucus (not with BM though).  I feel tired today and have stomach pains.  I passed some more mucus this am.  I have also been belchy.

Does this sound suspicious of cancer? would it appear so suddenly? my grandfather had colon cancer in his 50's or 60's and my dad passed of an auto accident in his 40s so i don't know what his history would have been.  What about an infection?  HOw would one contract one (especially if no other member of family has it?)

I have no history of IBS or other bowel problems, other than what I mentioned above.  

Thanks for your insight.  I'm pretty nervous about this
mjkm

[Kevin Pho, MD]

With a family history of colon cancer, that would place you at increased risk.  

Possible causes can include inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, irritable bowel disease, malabsorption, colitis or possibly cancer.  

The most comprehensive test would be a flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonocopy.  This can evaluate for most of the aforementioned diseases.  A referral to a GI physician can also be considered.

This option should be discussed with your personal physician.

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.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[mjkm]

I forgot to add that I am normal weight 130 (5'6"), eat well, don't smoke/drink etc.

[surgeon]

Probably the best way to find out what's going on will be to see a gastroenterologist, who likely will recommend colonoscopy. Many things can cause mucus, including infection and inflammation; also on the list is a polyp, which is a non-cancerous tumor. They often produce mucus. Left alone long enough, depending on the type, they have some chance of devolping into cancer. At your age, it's highly unlikely that that would already have happened. It sounds like you are on the right track to solving the mystery.

[mjkm]

Thanks for your response surgeon.  My results are in and my liver enzymes, cbc, sed rate, and stool sample all were normal.  My gi appt is not until nov.

[Miss Anh]

I'm having the same symptoms except I have alot of mucus before the BM and there is blood and minor or no pain associated with it most of the time. The mucus passes even when I pass gas.  I've had this for about a month now but my doctor does not seems to know what is causing this.  I am very worried.  I also suffer from hemorroids (hemorrhoids) and I thought that might have something to do with it.  Please let me know what you find out after your doctor's visit.