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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Examine Colorectal Cancer While Suffering From Constipation?

Hello,I am a 31 year old woman. 2 weeks ago after taking aspirin (300mg) and having a strong gastric reaction (pain in my upper stomach that lasted all night), I noticed streaks of blood in my stools. It lasted for 3 days. I called a doctor but didn t get an examination. The doctor said it was probably piles. The bleeding stopped for 10 days and started again on Sunday. This time I went for an examination. The doctor said he couldn t see any external piles and when he proceeded to the rectal examination, he said I should be constipated because my rectum was full but I didn t feel constipated at all. He told me the bleeding could come from constipation and he gave me some light laxatives. He said that if the bleeding carried on I should get a colonoscopy. So far, 2 days into the treatment, my stools are really loose due to the laxative and I couldn t see any blood but I am really worried about colorectal cancer and keep obsessing over it.What is your advice regarding the next step?
Mon, 10 Aug 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
After taking aspirin and having gastritis, what was the color of blood in stools?
If the blood is dark colored, then this bleeding could be from stomach.
Aspirin can lead to ulceration in stomach, bleeding and thus passage of altered or dark colored blood in stools.
If the blood was fresh red then it is due to bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
Since there is no evidence of piles on examination, a colonoscopy may be done to assess the lower GIT.
Although colorectal carcinoma is a cancer of elderly except when there is a family history, no age is exempt from it.
However, there is nothing to worry about it.
Polyps can also cause bleeding and there is more possibility of polyp in the GIT rather than colorectal carcinoma.
Thus, consult your gastroenterologist for colonoscopy.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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How To Examine Colorectal Cancer While Suffering From Constipation?

Hello and welcome to HCM, After taking aspirin and having gastritis, what was the color of blood in stools? If the blood is dark colored, then this bleeding could be from stomach. Aspirin can lead to ulceration in stomach, bleeding and thus passage of altered or dark colored blood in stools. If the blood was fresh red then it is due to bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Since there is no evidence of piles on examination, a colonoscopy may be done to assess the lower GIT. Although colorectal carcinoma is a cancer of elderly except when there is a family history, no age is exempt from it. However, there is nothing to worry about it. Polyps can also cause bleeding and there is more possibility of polyp in the GIT rather than colorectal carcinoma. Thus, consult your gastroenterologist for colonoscopy. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri