colon cancer

[pretty2008]

I have had blood in my stool for atleast 5 years and was always told that it was from hemroids. this last year maybe longer my stool has been pencil size and the urge to go with very little there. this last 3  months I have had a good amount of blood loss both dark and light. passing gas with just gassy blood. Now I ahve has a colonoscopy and they found a tumor(cancer) does this mean that over the years this may have been growing? Have I waited to long for help?

[jdwithhcv]

Colon cancer is slow growing, so this has been coming for some time.  Now that you have been diagnosed you will undergo "staging" which means a lot of different tests to determine the stage of your tumor.  Then, typically your case will be presented to a tumor board which is a multidisciplinary panel of speciailsts who will determine a course of treatment for you.  

As far as having waited too long, well the earlier you have treatment the better but keep in mind that colon cancer is very responsive to treatment and there is probably a lot they can do for you.  Stay positive and work with your doctors and the rest of your medical team.  You will be surprised at how many people will jump into this fight with you.

Like you I ignored blood for a long time, telling myself it must be hemmorhoids.  Finally there was just too much blood and too much pain to ignore, and I went for colonoscopy.  I had a stage 3 tumor, and began the treatment process right away.  Treatment was difficult and painful but I had excellent doctors, nurses and technicians, and they got me through it all.

I was diagnosed April 21, 2004, and I am cancer free and in good health today.  I wish you the best of luck and the best of care, and that you will have a similarly good outcome.  There s a lot of help and support available and I urge you to make good use of it.

Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions or just want to talk.  I will keep a good thought for you.

jd

[bgb1976]

I too am having blood in bowel movements. It is streaked with it all the time. I have been to rectal dr. and they did some test in office and he said my rectum looked completely normal.  He said for my age (33) it would be less chance of colon cancer. They scheduled my colonoscopy and I didn't go... I could kick myself now. I am going to find a highly recommended gastro dr around here and go ahead and go.. I have been having blood in mine for about 1 year and a half. I am so scared to go. Afraid theyll tell me its too far gone. I am glad you went please keep us informed of how you are doing.

[bgb1976]

Hi there, if you don't mind me asking how long did you let your bleeding go? Did you have alot of red everytime you had a bowel movement. I do.. It is from one end to the other, like its streaked. I don't have appetite loss, only when I think about what it could be. I have had no weight loss. I am tired alot, but I am up like 3x's a night checking on my kids. I have extremely bad anxiety so that doesn't help any...

[jdwithhcv]

I really can't remember how long I ignored it - for several months at least.  The best advice I can give you is to have a colonoscopy.  That will tell your doctor what is really causing the blood.  Good luck and try not to obsess.  Much better to just go and get it done.

jd