If he has symptoms, he needs to have a colonoscopy to rule out colon cancer.

There are programs in some states that provide screening and colonoscopies, but they are not everywhere.

Try calling your local health department — city, county, or state — to find out if there is a program near him.

He can also get an appointment at a community health center. While community health centers provide primary health care, the doctors and social workers there can help with referrals to a gastroenterologists and possible enrollment in Medicaid.

You can follow this link to find a federally funded community health care center near where he lives.

Community health centers charge only what patients can afford to pay.

Finally, it would not hurt to call a gastroenterologist, explain the symptoms, and ask for a reduced fee or payment plan. Some doctors are willing to help when asked.

Good luck. These are very hard stories to hear.