I Think I Could Potentially Have Colon Cancer

Posted on Wed, 8 Jul 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 8 Jul 2020 Answered on

Thu, 4 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hey everyone! I honestly could just use some insight. About the past month, I’ve had some bowel changes, diarrhea, to normal bowel movements, to having to strain to get small bowel movements out, and continuing to feel like I can’t empty myself completely. Within the past week though, I’ve peed a lot more often. It doesn’t burn, or hurt, and it’s a full amount each time, and I have not drank more than usual, actually, I’ve drank less than I usually do. I’ve had some mild abdominal pain that comes and goes, but it’s really starting to worry me, that something else could be going on. Of course I think I could potentially have colon cancer, but no blood in my poop, just mucus, and I’ve also been passing more gas frequently as well. I’m also a 21 year old female. What could this be?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Some more details required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details and I appreciate your query,
I have some questions before I answer your query,
For how long does the loose stools lasted?
Were they mucoid or watery?
Right now by straining you mean constipation?
Medication tried?
Food pattern? What were you taking as major part of your diet?
Fruits vegetable and grains are they a part of your regular diet?
Any test related to stools done?
Blood sugar levels checked?
Any GP or Doctor consulted till date for the same?
Site of pain(left right middle upper lower or middle).
Any history of colon cancer in family?
Do reply back.
Waiting!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (34 minutes later)

Hello. So the loose stools have been on and off for about a month. Sometimes I strain, and hard pebble like poops come out. They are more mucous. No medication tried. I’m really eating whatever I want right now. No test for stools. Blood work was done yesterday. I’m having some side pain, but it comes and goes. More pain near my uterus right now and absolute no history of colon cancer in family

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Going by the details given by you I would recommend you to take probiotics like VSL#3 twice daily for a week.
Along with it take light food.
Preferably vegetarian food home cooked and easy to digest.Givd you gut some time to reset.
For pain I won't recommend any medication as it's off and on in nature.
No alcohol or beverages for a week.
Take lots of yoghurt in food.
Banana pear dates guava are a good option.
Take all green vegetables as salad.
If things don't respond to it in a weak tests like-
Colonoscopy
Fecal caprotectin- to rule out inflammation.
Stool routine and culture test would be done.
But initially follow what I said for 5 days.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad