Ask the Doctor: a link between constipation and colon cancer?
Tarun Mullick, M.D.
Can long term constipation be cause for concern for the daughter of a colon cancer survivor? As part of our Ask the Doctor program, readers send questions related to health, wellness, colon cancer prevention, screening or treatment. Our panel of experts responds. This month, Dr. Tarun Mullick, M.D. a noted gastroenterologist at Delnor Hospital in Geneva, Illinois, answers a question about the link between constipation, family history, and colon cancer.
Get Your Rear in Gear reader: I am a 34 year old female. My father was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 60 and is doing great today. I am been having severe constipation for 10 weeks. I have been to the doctor twice and given Lactoluse and Amitza. I got minimal results and the constipation persists. I am also experiencing low back pain and lower right abdominal pain. Should I be worried?
Dr. Mullick: Colonoscopy is the right answer. Go to your local gastroenterologist and ask for a colonoscopy. The recommendation for colonoscopy in those with family history is to start at age 40. However, if a person has symptoms of change in bowel habits, diarrhea, rectal bleeding or weight loss, then colonoscopy has a role in diagnosis. One of the important points in the management of constipation or your change in bowel habits is to make sure there is not an anatomic obstruction like diverticulosis related narrowing, colon polyp, or colon cancer. Colonoscopy can help. If that is ok, then work with your gastroenterologist on a “cocktail” of laxatives that will help with your symptoms. This titration of the “cocktail” may take several weeks to fine tune. But, hopefully soon you’ll have your answer and feel better.
