Black Specks in Stools: Doctor Says Don’t Worry
“Usually a black speck in your stool is related to what you are eating – for example, coffee or pepper,” says Sander R. Binderow, MD. Will bleeding or blood cause black specks in stools? “A [...]
All Known Causes of Very Black Stools
Colon cancer isn’t the only cause of black stools. There are other causes as well, and in fact, bowel movements may only appear to be black, when in they’re just a very dark green, brown [...]
How Does Colon Cancer Cause Thin Ribbon Stools?
Stools that come out like toothpaste from a tube or ribbon-like or thin like pencils can indicate colon cancer. “If you have an anal or low rectal cancer tumor, your stools might be smaller than [...]
Can Cancer Cause Strange Stomach Noises?
“Someone with a cancer can experience loud noises in the stomach often if they are having symptoms of an intestinal obstruction,” explains Michael Blume, MD, a gastroenterologist at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore. “The cancer itself [...]
Colon Cancer Diarrhea vs. IBS Diarrhea: Is There a Difference?
A gastroenterologist discusses differences between colon cancer diarrhea and the diarrhea caused by IBS. Do they look the same? How are they different? You may have read that “constipation alternating with diarrhea” is a possible [...]
Colon Cancer Abdominal Pain vs. IBS Pain: a Comparison
Does the abdominal pain from colon cancer have any resemblance to that associated with irritable bowel syndrome? “Colon cancer with abdominal pain suggests advance stage cancer,” says Pankaj Vashi, MD, Lead National Medical Director, National [...]
Is Colon Cancer Always Caused by Polyps?
Though most colon cancers arise from what was once a benign (and removable) polyp, there are a number of circumstances in which the tumor starts growing without first transforming out of a polyp. Not all [...]
Colon Cancer in People Who Didn’t Have Routine Colonoscopy
What percentage of people, diagnosed with colon cancer, did not have a colonoscopy within 10 years of the diagnosis? Colonoscopies to screen for colon cancer are recommended every 10 years beginning at age 45 for [...]
Can Colon Cancer Be Prevented with a Colonoscopy Every 10 Years?
Would a routine colonoscopy prevent colon cancer if done every 10 years, since this type of cancer grows so slowly and usually starts as a benign polyp? The colonoscopy is a marvel of medical technology [...]
Why Do Colonoscopies Normally Begin at 50? Why Not Sooner?
There's good reason why 50 is that "magical" number for when a typical person should begin getting colonoscopies for colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can detect colon cancer, or [...]
Can IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Lead to Cancer or Polyps?
If you have IBS, you may be fearing eventual cancer, wondering if irritable bowel syndrome can lead to or increase cancer risk. The symptoms of IBS are nearly identical to the symptoms of colon cancer. [...]
How Long Can Colon Cancer Go Undetected?
A gastroenterologist explains how long cancer of the colon can go undetected. “Cancer [including that of the colon] can go undetected for many years since it rarely causes any pain or symptoms other than anemia,” [...]
How Long Does It Take for a Colon Polyp to Become Cancer?
You know that a polyp can be sitting in your colon for years, but just how long does it take to turn into cancer? There's a real high risk for cancer transformation of a colon [...]
Did the Colonoscopy Miss a Cancer or It’s a New Fast Tumor?
When colon cancer develops between routine colonoscopies, does this mean it was missed or is it usually a new fast growing tumor? We are advised to have a screening colonoscopy beginning at age 45 and [...]
Tiny Red Spots in Toilet after BM or Urine: Unlikely Origin
Have you noticed tiny red dots against the toilet bowl after a bowel movement or urine output and wondered what’s wrong? Imagine turning towards the toilet to look inside after having a bowel movement or [...]
Are There Reasons a Colonoscopy Can Miss Colon Cancer?
You know a colonoscopy can miss colon cancer, right? So find out exactly why, and what questions to ask your doctor. Though a colonoscopy has saved the lives of many people by detecting precancerous polyps, [...]
How Many People in Their Mid 30s Get Colon Cancer?
People in their mid 30s get colon cancer. Many doctors don't first suspect this in a symptomatic 30ish person, and the disease thus progresses until it's finally diagnosed. At the age of 35, the last [...]
Black or Tarry Stools from Cancer vs. from Food or Drugs
Find out just what “tarry” stools look like when compared to black BMs from benign causes like food or medications. How often have you read a pamphlet or online article about colon cancer and came [...]
Blood Loss Symptoms of Black Blood in the Stools
“Black stools are often a sign of bleeding from a site in the upper GI tract, such as an ulcer, etc.,” says Michael Blume, MD, a gastroenterologist at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore. What else can [...]
Blood in Stools, No Other Symptoms: Colon Cancer?
Find out if bloody stools can be the only symptom of colon cancer. How likely is it that if you see blood in your stools, but do not have any other symptoms (e.g., unexplained weight [...]
Black Stools from Colon Cancer vs. Acid Reflux
A doctor addresses the question of how do black stools from colon cancer compare to those caused by acid reflux. I wanted to know if there were distinct differences in the appearance of black stools [...]
Stools & Poops: Shape, Color, Texture Can Reveal Disease
Stools – no, I don’t mean the high circular chairs in bars – but poops. How well do you know your poops? If you’re reading this, chances are pretty good that you’ve examined your poops [...]
How Likely Is Rectal Bleeding Caused by Colon Cancer?
The rectum is the lower portion of the colon. What are the odds that any rectal bleeding is a sign of colon cancer? “Most often there are no symptoms in early stages,” says Dr. Maxwell Chait, [...]
Ovarian Cancer vs. Colon Cancer: Symptom Comparison
Because symptoms of ovarian and colon cancer overlap quite a bit, women need to be extremely vigilant about what’s going on in their bodies. Is there a way to tell the difference between ovarian cancer [...]
Can Excessive Burping Mean Cancer?
Believe it or not, frequent burping can be caused by several different cancers. A symptom as seemingly harmless as burping can actually be a sign of cancer. “Cancer can affect motility of the GI tract, increasing [...]
When Stool Color Can Mean Cancer
Ever had yellow, chalky, green or black stools? What about reddish stools? Do you ever even look at your BMs? Certain colors of BMs or stools can be a warning sign of cancer. “Brown, gray, [...]
Malabsorption Syndrome: Cancer, Other Causes, Symptoms Q & A
Are malabsorption syndrome and cancer necessarily in the same sentence? Do you fear you're suffering from a malabsorption malady? Is there a way you can tell at home if you have this gastrointestinal ailment? If you've [...]
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Stools vs. Malabsorption BM’s
Malabsorption that results in odd-looking stools can have a variety of causes, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) can also cause stools to appear less-than-normal. You may be wondering if there was a way to distinguish [...]
Does IBS Usually Cause Thin Narrow Poops?
Do narrow stools have you fearful of colon cancer, even though you've been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? If narrow or thin stools are common with IBS, then this may certainly provide more peace [...]
Does Colon Cancer Always Cause Abdominal Pain?
Colon cancer can cause abdominal pain, but does it always? When I say "pain," I don't mean cramps. There's a difference between abdominal pain and abdominal cramps. Abdominal pain can result from colon cancer. But have you [...]
Can Diarrhea Be the Only Symptom of Colon Cancer?
Is it possible for diarrhea to be the only symptom of colon cancer? You may be familiar with colon cancer's classic signs such as abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, blood in stools and ribbon-like stools [...]
Why Does My Stomach Make Strange Funny Sounds?
Does your stomach make all sorts of gurgling, rumbling and other strange, weird sounds? "Has it reached a point where other people can actually hear your belly making these noises? I'm not talking about hunger [...]
Orange Diarrhea: Some Causes Are Serious
Have you had orange diarrhea lately? That must have been a surprising sight, maybe even an alarming sight, since loose stools are supposed to be brown (though a little greenish is okay), not orange. Diarrhea can [...]
What Makes My Gas Smell So Bad?
Pheeuw, do you have really bad smelling gas? It's been said that really foul smelling gas means that the offender is very healthy. Of course, this is just a crazy myth. "Silent but deadly" has been [...]
Painless Ongoing Diarrhea As Only Symptom: What This Might Be
Are you experiencing sudden diarrhea out of the blue for no apparent reason, and other than the diarrhea, you feel fine? Is the diarrhea particularly watery or "liquidy"? Perhaps between episodes of this mysterious diarrhea, [...]
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) or Colon Cancer Symptom Comparison
Symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and colon cancer are nearly identical. In fact, they are so similar that I had to wonder if there was a way that a person, who is experiencing troubling [...]
Causes of Thin Narrow Stools Besides Colon Cancer
If your thin or narrow stools have you fearing colon cancer, there are other causes of narrow thin stools besides cancer of the colon. A number of factors can determine bowel movement caliber (shape, texture, color, [...]
