How closely can IBS mimic colon cancer?

Question

I’ve been researching the differences in symptoms between the 2 and what I’ve heard is that the major different between colon cancer and IBS (in terms of symptoms) is blood in stool/rectal bleeding, weight loss and fatigue, but I’ve been also reading stories from people with IBS saying that IBS causes narrow stools, fatigue, nausea and vomiting (sometimes) and I’m curious if there are any more symptoms that appear in IBS that aren’t “talked about” thank you so much to everyone that answers! I’m just really interested in this!

Anonymous · Answer

My best friend died of Crohns Disease which mimics both.  She was told there is little difference in the symptoms.  The ONLY difference she was told is that there is a reaction to certain foods with IBS but not with cancer.

Andy C · Answer

You already hit the nail on the head:

Cancer has large amounts of blood in the stool,  making reddish or purple feces.

IBS has a panoply of symptoms because it is an 'unknown' and therefore termed a syndrome,  which is just a cluster of symptoms.

IBS IS unknown to most (doctors,  even), and it was unknown to me while I had it.

Yes,  had as in past tense.

I now know what it is and the answer is incredibly simple: it's just a symptom itself of straying from the diet we evolved eating and drinking.

Yes, it's just the incorrect diet.  We didn't eat Swanson's frozen dinners while we were building the pyramids.

If you are a sufferer, eat only whole foods and drink ONLY water, unsweetened teas and unflavored milk.

Solves it in weeks.  Takes about 2 to get your gut flora back to normal.

Tarkarri · Answer

Biggest difference is that cancer is Never diagnosed based on symptoms alone but only after testing and biopsy.
IBScan be diagnosed from symptoms alone.

Pearl · Answer

anything can mimic cancer, talk to your doctor about it

How closely can IBS mimic colon cancer?

4 Answers