What are the very early symptoms of colon cancer?

Question

My mother died from this when she was 31, as she was diagnosed too late. I'm 20 and have just been diagnosed with a possibility of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Seeing as I've heard colonic cancer is genetic, should I be getting checked out the possibility of cancer?

Also, for people who have suffered from colon cancer- what were the earliest symptoms that you got?

I don't mean to sound like a hypochondriac-it's just I don't want to find out too late like my mother did.

Answer 1

The problem with colon cancer is that it shows no symptoms at early stages. It only starts showing when it's advanced. The symptoms are:

- Blood flecks in your stools, particularly if the blood is dark or plum-coloured. This is the most commonly noticed symptom and should never be ignored.

- A change in your regular bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhoea, that's severe or lasts for two weeks or more.

- Abdominal pain or discomfort that lasts for two weeks or more.

- Unexplained weight loss.

To get cancer at a young age it is most likely genetic. I'm going to see a genetic doctor because I was diagnosed at 20. If any close relative has had colon cancer at a young age, you should ensure your doctor rules that out, instead of diagnosing you without any tests for cancer. I was told I probably have IBS, but luckily, she wanted to do more tests to be on the safe side. Although some people do get it at a young age without there being a genetic factor involved.

Answer 2

It CAN be genetic, but you should ask these types of questions directly to the doctor and not accept the answers from people who are not qualified to answer.

Answer 3

Ur mother had you when she was 11?

Answer 4

There are few if any very early symptoms.

Given your mother's early death from colon cancer you probably need to be evaluated for hereditary colon cancer. This info below is taken from Mayoclinic.com.

Inherited disorders that affect the colon. Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer. These syndromes cause only about 5 percent of all colon cancers. One genetic syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare disorder that causes you to develop thousands of polyps in the lining of your colon and r****m. People with untreated FAP have a greater than 90 percent chance of developing colon cancer by age 45. Another genetic syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), also called Lynch syndrome, is more common than FAP. People with HNPCC have an increased risk of colon cancer and tend to develop colon cancer at an early age. Both FAP and HNPCC can be detected through genetic testing. Talk to your doctor about whether your family history suggests you have a risk of these conditions.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/colon-c...

Ask your physician for a referral to a good gastroenterologist and they can help you get the various tests you need to determine whether you have anything to worry about. Also insist on getting a colonoscopy just to set a baseline for future colon exams.

Only about 5-10% of colon cancers have any hereditary basis but given your family history it will not hurt to get a work up.

good luck