Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/10/2007

Question
QUESTION: hi, im 18 years old and im starting to get a little scared about my bowel habbits and its realtion with colon cancer.The last 2 months every once in a while i become constapted, have trouble with bowel movments. My constaption keeps on showing up every 2 weeks along with norrow than usual stool. Ive changed my diet and started to work out more often the last 2 months. I know im not at risk for colon cancer but the constapation and bowel habbits and size are starting to give me a little scare. Just looking for some other opnion

ANSWER: At your age colon cancer is not a risk you have to consider. But your bowel symptoms may be troublesome enough in themselves so I suggest that you do seek the advice of a gastroenterologist, since this is outside my area of expertise!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: tahnk you for your reply. So what your telling me is that cancer or anything of that sort is not a possibiltiy? Probaly  just diet or lack of fiber in my diet or anything like that?

Answer
Almost anything & everything is POSSIBLE, but at your age large bowel cancer is not a realistic possibility - at least it is EXTREMELY improbable! But if it is just a matter of wrong diet or lack of fibres is impossible to decide from here. That is why I stated that you should let a dr. check you!