Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Are The Symptoms Of Colon/rectal Cancer?
I am a triathlete, 51, female. I run 40 miles per week. I sit on a bike saddle for at least an hour a day, and I take more ibuprofen than i should...up to 16000mg (8 pills) per day, on a regular basis. I get fairly frequent (once a week, sometimes a couple of days in a row) blood spots on my underwear. This has been going on over a year. No pain or discomfort otherwise, a physical about two months ago revealed I was very healthy (blood work). I talked myself into thinking this was just my old hemorrhoids, which I have had on and off my entire life and through 4 children, or maybe an anal fissure from the bike saddle. It is an extremely small amount of blood. A friend freaked me out with stories of stage 4 colon/rectal cancer. I purchased an occult fecal detection test...first two times, absolutly nothing. Last time a small spot of green in the test area, but not the sort of coloring they described, which would be like the control area...a light hue in the entire area. Do you think I am worrying about nothing?
Mon, 19 May 2014
Symptoms of colon/rectal cancer are
•Bleeding
•Seeing blood mixed with stool is a sign to seek immediate medical
•Prolonged rectal bleeding (perhaps in small quantities that is not seen in the stool) may lead to anemia, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, light-headedness, or a fast heartbeat.
•Obstruction
•A rectal mass may grow so large that it prevents the normal passage of stool.This blockage may lead to the feeling of severe constipation or pain when having a bowel movement.In addition, abdominal pain or cramping may occur due to the blockage.
•The stool size may appear narrow so that it can be passed around the rectal mass.Therefore, pencil-thin stool may be another signof an obstruction from rectal cancer.
•A person with rectal cancer may have a sensation that the stool cannot be completely evacuated after a bowel movement.
•Weight loss: Cancer may cause weight loss. Unexplained weight loss (in the absence of dieting or a new exercise program)
Regards
DR De
•Bleeding
•Seeing blood mixed with stool is a sign to seek immediate medical
•Prolonged rectal bleeding (perhaps in small quantities that is not seen in the stool) may lead to anemia, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, light-headedness, or a fast heartbeat.
•Obstruction
•A rectal mass may grow so large that it prevents the normal passage of stool.This blockage may lead to the feeling of severe constipation or pain when having a bowel movement.In addition, abdominal pain or cramping may occur due to the blockage.
•The stool size may appear narrow so that it can be passed around the rectal mass.Therefore, pencil-thin stool may be another signof an obstruction from rectal cancer.
•A person with rectal cancer may have a sensation that the stool cannot be completely evacuated after a bowel movement.
•Weight loss: Cancer may cause weight loss. Unexplained weight loss (in the absence of dieting or a new exercise program)
Regards
DR De
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hemorrhoid
Loading Online Doctors....