A Question about Cancer?

[stayhealthy77]

I believe that I may have some form of cancer. Here are the symptoms that I have experienced.
- weight loss
- unexplained bruises, cuts, and red blemishes that appear on my skin usually on the arms and legs
- some, but not all, toe nails that have turned black
- itchy skin which may be anemia
- I have had erectile dysfunction I no longer have an erection at night while sleeping. I don't believe that I have any growths on my testicles and I can't really tell if my testicles are swollen. I am a 61 year old male. I know the erectile dysfunction for men in that age group is at approximately 50%
- currently I have a sharp pain in my lower right side  - lower right quadrant of my body - but the pain is not persistent - it seems to hurt when I lay on my right side when sleeping
I have recently had a colonoscopy and there is no colon cancer. the results came back negative.

I can eat. I do have an appetite. I do not have headaches and there is no vomiting. I don't smoke, I don't engage in drugs of any kind and I don't drink alcohol and there is no history of cancer in my family.

does anyone have any idea what may be afflicting me?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello and thank you for your question. We're sorry for a delay in response. Very sorry you are having these worries. I wouldn't automatically go to cancer for the causation. Have you by this point made an appointment for a complete physical? That is really the best thing. Rule out any other causes and would suspect that some of these things are unrelated to each other. Let us know if you can make a physical appointment or if you have had one since you posted this.  

[stayhealthy77]

Hello,
Thank You for your comment. I found out what is the problem. I had a colonoscopy performed in the month of September and the results came back negative for me. Further blood tests indicated that I have low Iron in my Blood. I am anemic. That is the reason for the weight loss, the unexplained bruises and small cuts appearing on my arms. Right now I am taking SULFATE FERREUX 300 mg . The Doctor told me to talk one pill once a day on an empty stomach with a glass of orange juice for better absorption of the Iron. I did some googling on the web in regards to the drug and what I found out was that it would take anywhere between one week to four weeks for the drug to kick in and work. Part of the problem that I have is that in the past I was constipated which drew attention and had blood in my stool which drew attention to colon cancer., thus the colposcopy was performed with negative results. In taking  Iron pills I have be careful of becoming constipated once again. I'm taking Metamucil daily (one tablespoon in an 8 oz glass of water). In addition to this I am drinking between 5 - 8 cups of water a day. My diet has changed a lot. I'm currently eating broccoli, spinach, and Brussel Sprouts for dinner to increase my Iron through natural food means. I have boiled potatoes and either chicken or turkey. I am trying to stay away from red meat as much as possible. I am also eating a lot more fruits - apples, bananas, and oranges.

Do you have any further suggestions that may help me with an Iron Deficiency?

[Sara_MHModerator]

Hello, sorry for the delay in response. I'm very happy that you don't have cancer. Iron deficiency is treatable. Iron pills should help. I would ask your doctor if there could be an underlying condition leading to the iron deficiency. You'd want to work on that if so. But you sound to be doing all the right things. The iron supplement and diet changes work for most people. Have you had your number checked again or are symptoms getting better? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355040