Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 4/1/2007

Question
About 3 wks ago, I had spasmatic pains in my lower abdomen near the pelvis. They were not constant pains but every day, i noticed them I also had a drop of bright red blood (I also have a hemroid) and it made the toilet water red. My bowel movements are always normal. My doctor did a rectal exam then sent me to a gastronologists and am scheduled for a colonoscopy next week. Now I have very little sensation of pain in that area in fact it's very hard to distinguish if there is any. I have a colonoscopy every 5 years and my last one was 4 yrs ago and everything was fine. I have heard that a colon cancer is very slow growing but also heard if there is pain, the cancer is far advanced.  My question is:  If that is the case, can an advanced cancer grow that fast in 4 yrs.? And, since I am pain free now, does that signify anything? I very much appreciate your answer. My age is 75 yrs. I am very healthy otherwise.

Thank you.

Barbara

Answer
The reason for your pain is still unknown and since it is hardly there any more there is probably now much less reason to suspect a colon cancer - even more so an advanced one - but there is certainly very good reasons for undergoing a colonoscopy now! So do that and we will have a good chance of finding out the reason for your problem! Please do keep me posted! Good luck!