Hello,
I am a 23 yr old woman in good health, I am a dance teacher so very active and I eat plenty of fruits and veggies etc. I don't smoke. I do have a sensitive tummy so can't eat a lot of dairy or gluten. Occaisionally in the past I have had small fissures, that were more annoying than anything and always went away within a week if I cleansed regularly with baby wipes and applied a some vaseline or desitin (i know its diaper rash ointment but i find it solves all kinds of "down there" irritations).
However what happened to me today has scared me. I have an appointment with my GP for my physical next week luckily so I will be seeing a doctor soon but I am hoping someone here can shed some light on my situation for me now...
I was driving home from work and got stuck in traffic... i REALLY had to poop but was forced to hold it, which was very painful. When I finally relieved myself the stool was a larger amount than normal but not particularly hard or diarrhea... but since then I have gone to the bathroom a few times feeling like I need to have a bowel movement but instead I just pass a few globs of what is mostly blood, its bright red mostly or a little pinkish. This is unlike anything I have experienced before. Is it a large fissure? or a hemorrhoid? Its not particularly painful, just a slight tummy ache.
I should also add that my grandfather recently died of colon cancer at the age of 86 so I am a bit paranoid... even though I know I am very young for that to be the case, and from what I have been told it is mainly inherited by men (and my father was recently given a clear bill of digestive tract health at the age of 56 after he chose to get tested when my grandpa died.)
Any advice would be welcome. I am very concerned by this and don't want to wait until I see my GP to find out more information. :oops:
Thanks for your time.

Don't panic, it doesn't help and is probably making your tummy worse. It could be hemorrhoids. Mine don't bleed but hurt like mad. I have heard of people having them where they bleed like crazy but don't hurt. Could you see a gastroenterologist instead? I know sometimes we need to see the GP for a referral but I don't think they are the best for the problem you are describing. You are a young healthy woman who exercises and eats well. You are going to be ok. I know it's frustrating. I take good care of myself and still suffer with all the problems ie: fissures, spasms, hemorrhoids. While very painful not life threatening. Please keep me posted. I have found great comfort in this forum. BTW. Do sitz baths, increase fiber and drink tons of water. Good Luck

Hi Nellie!
I agree with Badd. Try not to panic. The vast majority of the time bright red blood is due to hemorrhoids or fissures or both, not cancer. If your main symptom is blood without much pain it is more likely to be an internal hemorrhoid than a fissure. While you're waiting for your doctor appointment, just keep up good supportive care like Badd says. Keep stools soft and easy to pass and no straining on the toilet and sitz baths. Try not to worry (hard to do I know). I agree too it would be better if you could get in to see a CRS.
Good luck, and let us know how you make out.