Too young for colorectal cancer?
Talking about young patients with colon cancer, here’s another young man with rectal cancer about a month ago… He is 33 years old.
A hard area on the inside lining of the rectum
He had passage of blood mixed in the motion for a few months. It was fortunate that he was seen early by a gastroenterologist who found a hard area in the rectum on finger examination and proceeded to colonoscopy. He was surprised to find that the pathology report was positive for cancer, but a repeat biopsy also yielded the same result. There were no polyps in the colon and rectum.
A low “anterior resection” (i.e. resection of the rectum but preserving the anus) was performed. Fortunately, this cancer was in an early stage, and he required no further therapy.
It is uncommon for the under 50 population to suffer from colorectal cancer, except in specific high-risk circumstances such as familial adenomatous polyposis (multiple polyps in the colon and rectum), hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (very strong family history of colorectal cancer) and prolonged history of ulcerative colitis (a form of inflammatory bowel disease).
However, any patient who presents with rectal bleeding needs to be examined. Do not refuse a physical examination, at least a finger rectal examination : it helped save this young man.
oh geez…. So, the only symptom is rectal bleeding? Any other? Thanks for the info….. as I’m in the high risk group. Sigh….
*Looks suspiciously at Bernard’s finger*
Make sure you cuci tangan after these ‘finger examinations’
WA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
This is what causes my late mil to die
I feel faint…
How is the “finger test” done?
You mean you inserted a finger into his colon??!! WOW, LOL.
Got lotsa those colon detox products now in the market, with friendly bacterias to remove the encrustations in colon, etc. Are they helpful in preventing colorectal cancer/polyps/ulcer Doc? I wouldn’t wanna see u in OT, LOL
The point is who should I see to get the correct diagnosis???
Oh gosh. I’m still in anxiety leh! Are you in cohorts with my hubby on these 2 posts?
I had two male doctors inserting their fingers in my rectum when I was having the bleeding. Then they suggested colonoscopy (I kept remembering endoscopy, tat was for my duodenitis).
This is pretty bad isn’t it. Damn, i hope i am getting myself free from this man.. just by looking at it save me a meal..
Nice to see you back in action, Bernard!
I kept coming in, but your store was closed for renovation!
Mott, symptoms of rectal cancer:
* rectal bleeding or passage of mucus
* recent change in bowel habit to constipation or darrhoea
* difficulty in passing motion and a sensation of an urge to pass but there’s an empty rectum.
Jonzz, ya.. wanna shake my hand? Anyway, in this story the finger that performed the exam was not mine.. it was the gastroenterologist’s.
Hijackqueen, sorry to hear that. It’s the THIRD most common cancer.
Angel, the “finger” test is mandatory for all patients with ano-rectal complaints.
How is it done? See here.
Pelf, it’s a common exam. And not used enough, actually.
Soo, no they don’t work. Just take plenty of fibre and keep a healthy weight. Those are the things that have been shown to help. And come early if there are symptoms.
Chelsea, first thing.. see your GP.
Eastcoastlife, hi.. err.. no… right, Chris?
Rectal bleeding deserves a thorough physical examination and possibly colonoscopy if no obvious cause was found.
Chin YY, haha… there are prettier things to look at?
Rambodoc, nice of you to drop by again
It’s nice to be back.
Doc, does regular colon hydrotheraphy help prevent cancer? What treatment did the young man receive? Surgery to remove the colon?
Adrian, has anyone ever claimed that colon hydrotherapy prevents cancer?
He had resection of the rectum and immediate joining of the colon to the anus. Since it was early cancer, he didn’t require any further treatment for cancer.
rectum?! =X