Colon Cancer?

[hugo119]

Hi im a 17 year old male.

About 2 months ago i went to the doctor's with chest pains, and was diagnosed with anxiety and put on propranolol for 2 weekjs.

About 6 weeks ago i started getting lower left abdominal cramps. I was also having increased flatulence, and diarrhoea and i thought it may have been lactose intolerance so stopped eating dairy products. However, i have since started eating dairy products again, the diarrhoea and flatulence has gone however my faeces have become sticky but they havent changed colour (brown) and i haven't noticed any blood.

My diet hasn't really changed, im eating more fruit and veg, and wholemeal bread and pasta products and my frequency hasnt changed (1-2 times a day).

I have also has some milk incontinence (a strange discharge, not liquid faeces).
finally ive also had some mild lower left back pain.
I dont smoke and am physically active and otherwise in good health with no worries.

Could this be colon cancer?

[Jaybay]

Highly doubtful, particularly in one as young as you are.  My brother had similar issues as you at the same age, and it took many years before it became clear that his anxiety caused his gastro problems.  Once he got the anxiety treated with an anti-depressant, he has had no further issues.  Any kind of anxiety can result in loose stools.  If you're still having chest pain, that could be from acid reflux, which is yet another very physical result of anxiety.

You've got a whole, rich, long life ahead of you.  I hope that whatever issues are causing the anxiety get resolved so you can truly enjoy life.  You're far too young to be worrying this much about your health.  :-)

[hugo119]

thanks jaybar. No, the chest pains stopped after taking propranolol. I haven't had any other symptoms of anxiety. Could it be something else, less serious then, like IBS? ? Do you think i should go to the doctor just in case? Is there any way i can take care of this myself at home without having to take up doctors' time ?

[Jack0427]

My husband had pain on the lower left side of the stomagh and went to the DR. and was put on some MEDS. The pain didn't go away so he went for a colon test and it came back that he had sigmo colon cancer and had a colon resection on 12/26/07 and now is going through CHIMO

I have taken him to a cancer hospital in new york and they said the same they said here in Illinois.

I can also let you know that his pain was strong enough to knock you off your feet and also take your breath away

[max44]

You are never too young for colon cancer.I work in a histology lab where
not often but often enough to be concerned we have diagnosis colon cancer
in young men under 25.

make sure you follow up and have a colonscopy.