Rectal bleeding

[pinklemonade215]

I've had rectal bleeding for years. I always attributed it to hemorrhoids due to the fact that I have pain and itching quite frequently during and after a hard bowel movement or explosive diarrhea. I was diagnosed with IBS a few years ago. Today I had explosive diarrhea with a fair amount of blood. The doctor did a digital rectal exam and found multiple hemorrhoids. He suggested I see a GI doctor and possibly have a colonoscopy to rule out anything else but he reassured me that he did not feel this was cancer due to my age, the fact that I have no other symptoms, and due to me having so many hemorrhoids. I am terrified that this is some kind of late stage colon cancer since I let it go so long assuming it was just hemorrhoids. What is my risk factor for colorectal cancer? I  a 38 year old female in good health. I have severe health anxiety and general anxiety as well.

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hi there,
The incidence for colorectal cancer increase with age. Almost 90% of new cases occur in individuals 50 and older. It is very rare to see colorectal cancer at such a young age. In colorectal cancer there will also be other symptoms like weight loss, fever, nausea, vomiting etc which you do not have. Your doctor has advised you to get a colonoscopy done to rule out all rare and serious possible causes of your condition. Any illness can be treated if detected early. Stop worrying and get a colonoscopy done. Schedule an appointment with the GI doctor. Do write to me again with the test results. I hope it helps.
Best luck and regards!

[pinklemonade215]

I am just so scared. I have a lot of rectal pain, itching and burning when I have bowel movements and after. Last night I felt like I needed to pass gass and it was straight dark red blood. There must have been mucus too because it was very slippery.The ER ran my bloodwork again and it was "beautiful". My stools are ribbon shaped lately or small pieces. It feels like it's hard to get anything out of my rectum. I have been having anal pain and itching since I was a teenager, sometimes severely. I also hAVE ibs also and go from being extremely constipated to loose stools.

[pinklemonade215]

Had colonoscopy yesterday, had one polyp removed. The doctor told my husband he saw nothing else and that he'd put money on it being benign. I'm still worried though...can polyps cause a fair amount of blood? Also, why so much pain when I go and my stools are still thin. I read that can be caused by IBS though among other things.