I will see my gastroenterologist about this, but he's now on vacation.
I'm 29, male, non-smoker, and have no family cancer history.
Nearly a year ago, I noticed a small amount of bright red blood on (not in) my stool one time when I went to the bathroom. This has never recurred, but a few times I've found small amounts of bright red on the toilet paper. This has been very infrequent, the amounts have been small and it's generally been after repeated/deep wiping. I know I should have gone to a Dr. -- but I didn't.
Then, a month ago, I woke up feeling very sick -- nausea/vomiting, stomach cramps, food intolerance, abdominal discomfort, and, after a day of this, an awful acidy feeling in my throat. I went to Dr. -- who sent me to a gastroenterologist.
The GE did an endoscopy and said I had GERD and gastritis. He prescribed Aciphex, and did blood work and sent for a biopsy -- neither turned up anything unexpected. I told him about the blood and my colon cancer fear; he didn't suspect colon cancer and said blood was probably a hemorrhoid -- which we could follow up on it after adressing the GERD and gastritis.
Now, acidy feeling is gone and appetitie is fine. The problem is abdominal discomfort/cramping. I've felt "sick" to my intestines since this started, but sometimes seems to be in/around stomach too. It comes and goes -- no link to eating -- and I sleep fine. Now for the last 2 weeks, I get bad cramps when I run. At first, they seemed closer to stomach, but now they're near the hips, on both sides. I run on an empty stomach and it's not side stitches.
I've also been gassy & get gurgling in my lower abdomen. Can't tell if bowel habits have changed; don't have pure diarhhea, but stool is usually soft/feathery and I have to wipe A LOT to get clean. But could be dietary, and it might have been this way for a long time (never paid attention until recently).
I'm panicked that this is colon cancer. I'd really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.