But it is not a substitute for primary medical care. No reputable health professional would attempt to diagnose conditions like these without examining the patients and possibly running tests. I hope I don't sound too harsh. I realize it is not always easy to know what kinds of situations warrant an immediate call to your doctor. The common thread between these two questions is that in both cases, the writers have symptoms unusual for them, and they indicate that something has changed from their normal state of health.
Early detection is extremely important in the successful treatment of so many diseases.
That is why screening programs emphasize looking for signs that something has changed. Bleeding that persists for two months when previous periods have been normal is a warning flag to get to the doctor. Black specks in the stool could be related to something you are eating, but since you've never noticed it before, you need to bring it to your doctor s attention. There is also a chance it could be blood, a symptom of colorectal cancer. All rights reserved.