Terrified I have bowel cancer

I have had numerous colonoscopies over the last 10 years due to either having constipation or diarrhoea , never ‘normal’ and these episodes last a few months. Colour and consistency (tmi!) changes on a daily basis, It’s either rocks or water and is a worry but Nothing found so far.
I can see why you are worried because of your brother but that was a long time ago and things have improved considerably in that time. One of the questions they always ask is about unexplained weight loss and you don’t have that which is very good news.
Saying don’t worry if you are a worrier won't help, I hope you have seen the dr so i say good luck and I am sure all will be well.
CrazyH your son has had his appt now, and hope all is ok.

Sorry to hear that crazyH. There are many skin abnormalities that are less serious and treatable.
You should hear the thoughts of the dermatologist soon. Try not to worry (easier said than done) and please come back and let us know how your DS got on this afternoon.

I don’t want to hijack your thread, but I am sitting here, terrified too - anxiety gone through the roof. My son has strange skin lesions on the back of his neck. He has an appointment with the dermatologist at 2;pm. He is 44 years old. Sorry to interrupt your thread but I had to tell someone.

Just saw this. Shinamae - I hope you’re in good hands and they are dealing with the issues. Good luck and let us know how you are getting on x

TillyTrotter

Good to know your investigations are underway Shinamae . I don’t mean to dismiss your fears but there are many things it could be other than cancer but completely understand why you are worried.
Good luck ?

It’s very kind of you to be concerned ????

Good to know your investigations are underway Shinamae . I don’t mean to dismiss your fears but there are many things it could be other than cancer but completely understand why you are worried.
Good luck ?

TillyTrotter

BTW sorry no one picked up on your thread in June,
and I hope you are okay? would be good to hear from you.

Thank you so much Tilly, I am just waiting for a phone call from my doctor because I have a couple of new symptoms including sometimes the stool is a pale grey colour which I believe can be to do with the bile duct. Anyway I’m getting a call from him on Friday and I know he will book me in for some other investigative procedure

BTW sorry no one picked up on your thread in June,
and I hope you are okay? would be good to hear from you.

Have you heard of one of these squatty potties Shinamae. ?

www.healthline.com/health-news/science-says-toilet-footstools-really-can-improve-the-way-you-poop

My friend swears by it - she has had colon and bowel problems for years and says it helps her to empty her bowel each time (which is one of your concerns).

Also see the Doc again if you have worse / new symptoms. With a close family connection to bowel cancer they should understand why you are worried.
Please let us know how you are soon . ?

Blood test was how we found my husband's cancer was back. It depends what tests your GP or consultant asks for. If it's a full panel they check for everything.

Apparently blood tests can show some markers for some cancers but not all..

Do general blood tests show any cancer symptoms?

Get a test via your GP. It's treatable if caught early.

I have had Covid twice but was asymptomatic both times. My doctor is very good actually and there is no way I could afford to go private but I’m pretty sure when I see him he will book me in for a full colonoscopy. Thank you for your replies

Shinamae

I have just had another more in-depth faecal blood test which has come back clear but I still am very anxious as I know my body and something is wrong.l have made an appointment to see my doctor in a couple of weeks. I did ask about a scan and he said they were only given to people who could not manage a colonoscopy…

I think your GP should run a full range of blood tests to check for other conditions which might be making you feel so exhausted. Mine did one a while ago, checking haemoglobin levels (on the low side), vitamin D levels, for celiac disease and a whole lot of other checks.

I was surprised that she was so thorough and you may need to ask your GP.
Have you had Covid recently because that could make you feel exhausted?

Best wishes

I’m sorry this is ongoing for you, Shinamae. It’s awful that you have to keep battering away to get someone to take your concerns seriously.

I haven’t read all the thread - is there any possibility of you affording a private appointment with a specialist?

I have just had another more in-depth faecal blood test which has come back clear but I still am very anxious as I know my body and something is wrong.l have made an appointment to see my doctor in a couple of weeks. I did ask about a scan and he said they were only given to people who could not manage a colonoscopy…

nexus63

i had bowel cancer three years ago, it was a blood test that made them look, my iron level was at 3 which meant i was bleeding inside, it was a tumor in my bowel. my symptons were constant diarrhea, being sick and tiredness, first thought was ibs, i had a scan and they saw the tumor and then a colonoscopy to take a bit of the tumor for testing, i was very lucky that they cut it all away, half of my bowl left. i had cancer again last year but it was vulvar cancer and there is still dormant cancer in my body. please ask your doctor to send you for a cancer blood test and a scan. they test me every six months, the test tells them if i have cancer but not where it is. the second cancer i had did not show up as skin cancers does not come up on blood tests (according to the doctor), i hope you get the help you need, good luck and hugs.

As l am still very anxious about this l WILL ask for a blood test and scan. I am at my daughters in St Albans for a few days and just feel completely wiped out…??

i had bowel cancer three years ago, it was a blood test that made them look, my iron level was at 3 which meant i was bleeding inside, it was a tumor in my bowel. my symptons were constant diarrhea, being sick and tiredness, first thought was ibs, i had a scan and they saw the tumor and then a colonoscopy to take a bit of the tumor for testing, i was very lucky that they cut it all away, half of my bowl left. i had cancer again last year but it was vulvar cancer and there is still dormant cancer in my body. please ask your doctor to send you for a cancer blood test and a scan. they test me every six months, the test tells them if i have cancer but not where it is. the second cancer i had did not show up as skin cancers does not come up on blood tests (according to the doctor), i hope you get the help you need, good luck and hugs.

Shinamae I had a colonoscopy back in January where 3 large polyps were found one particularly large 3cm one that looked nasty on the camera. Anything over 10mm is classed as large apparently. Anyway luckily for me they were only pre cancerous I fully expected the worse news. At the follow up consultation the consultant informed me that they take years to grow and I probably had a window of a couple of years. I asked if I could have yearly colonoscopies he said no although your high risk you won't need to re test again now for 3 years and 3 years again after that. I'm assuming if your colonoscopy was clear 8 month ago your going to be ok but go see your gp and get some reassurance and ask when your next colonoscopy will be scheduled and maybe ask for one of those FIT bowel tests to help put your mind at rest. Hope this helps.

That’s heartening to hear and I’m pleased you got a call from your own Doc.
Please come back and let us know how you are doing, and try not to be terrified. ?

So pleased, Shinamae

Pleased you've made some progress Shinamae.

Good to hear Shinamae

As luck would have it my own doctor rang me about an hour ago. He was very reassuring and told me with the tests I have had in the past few months it is very unlikely but not impossible that I would have bowel cancer however I am going for a blood test tomorrow and he is seeing me face-to-face on the 22nd so I am quite relieved hearing that. I would just like to thank you all for your very reassuring messages ????