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What Causes Constipation And Abnormal Bowel Movements?
Question: In the last 2 months I have had a change in bowel habits. The stool is no longer the normal shape but instead I am producing pellets or balls, 1/2" to 1 1/2" in diameter that do not adhere together to form a normal looking bowel movement. There is some straining and constipation associated with having a bowel movement but constipation has been a common problem for most of my adult life. There is no bleeding, no bloating and no pain. Suddenly I find myself very worried about colon or rectal cancer and although I have already made an appointment for a colonoscopy any advice or information you can give me would be greatly appreciated and I hope ease some of the anxiety I am feeling. I am a 71 year old female and otherwise I believe I am good health. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
You have done the very right thing making the colonoscopy appointment. As it is very important to rule colon cancer at first. Please note that symptoms mentioned by you are very nonspecific. Unfortunately there is no characteristic symptoms for early colon cancer, that is why any bowels pattern change in the person older than 50 must be treated as a possible colon cancer and verified with colonoscopy. I can not tell you that this is not a colon cancer for sure. But I want you to be optimistic as overall population risk of colon cancer is from 5 to 10%. It means that only less than 10% of all people in the world will have this cancer. That is really not much and there is 90% chances that your symptoms are caused by other than colon cancer issue like low fiber intake, hypothyroidism or chronic bacterial infection.
But to be 100% sure, colonoscopy is necessary.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
You have done the very right thing making the colonoscopy appointment. As it is very important to rule colon cancer at first. Please note that symptoms mentioned by you are very nonspecific. Unfortunately there is no characteristic symptoms for early colon cancer, that is why any bowels pattern change in the person older than 50 must be treated as a possible colon cancer and verified with colonoscopy. I can not tell you that this is not a colon cancer for sure. But I want you to be optimistic as overall population risk of colon cancer is from 5 to 10%. It means that only less than 10% of all people in the world will have this cancer. That is really not much and there is 90% chances that your symptoms are caused by other than colon cancer issue like low fiber intake, hypothyroidism or chronic bacterial infection.
But to be 100% sure, colonoscopy is necessary.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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