These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Colorectal Cancer
Question: I have had blood in my stool on two different occasions in the past year. I am only 30 years old, and have only university supplied health insurance. My family doesn’t have a history of colorectal cancer. Is there any explanation besides colon cancer for rectal bleeding? Do I need a specialist to examine me? As you might guess, I am very scared of the prospect of cancer. But I do understand that early diagnosis leads to the best prognosis. I would greatly appreciate any and all the advice you can provide me with.
Answer: There are many causes of blood in one’s stool. The most common cause under 35 or 40 is bleeding from hemorrhoids. This should produce bright, red blood-usually on toilet tissue as well as in the stool. However, persistent bleeding needs to be checked. This does not need a specialist
if your physician is comfortable using an anoscope and/or a flexible sigmoidoscope. While cancer is a possibility-it is uncommon(with no family history). Commnon causes not related to hemorrhoids would include colitis, and congenital lesions called arteriolar-venous malformations.
These are reasonably common in young patients and need to be diagnosed early due to the different treatment strategies and courses of each.
