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Worried

Turkish
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Im worried I have bowel cancer. I've had problems with my bowels for 5 years. Some days I frequently go toilet and I get constipation sometimes and I have abdominal pain. I did a fit test and the result was positive at 15. I got a colonoscopy in 1 weeks time. I'm on holiday and I got this news while away and im so worried I have iy. I keep reading on it and the symptoms match and I've had bowel problems for such a long time. I went gp in 2021 but nothing was diagnosed and I didn't have a fit test or colonoscopy. I'm worried I have stage 4 cancer because of how long I've had these symptoms. Sometimes my poo is pencil the or in small lumps. I thought I have ibs but never been diagnosed. Dr did a calprotein test and rectal exam which was normal 

  • Hello and thanks for your enquiry,

    I am sorry to hear that you are worried about ongoing symptoms. It is not likely to be cancer as your symptoms have been on and off for some years now.

    Irritable bowel syndrome is very common in the general population. It is a common condition that GP's see. If you are worrying about your health, then do seek advice from your GP.

    Try and keep a food diary and this will help identify foods that may play a role in making symptoms worse.

    The NHS website has useful information on IBS

    I hope this helps,

    Best wishes,

    Vanda

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Vanda

    Thank you for your reply 

    I understand what your saying but im still worried as I've been getting symptoms for 5 years now and its been getting worse like going toilet frequently and constipation and abdominal pain

    Also since 2020 my red blood cells count has been low and my GP couldn't find the reason why and he said im not amenic so this has also made me worried as low red blood cell count  can be a sign of bowel cancer  

    The positive fit test has made me worried as the calprotein test was normal 

  • in reply to Turkish

    Hi there again and thanks for getting back in touch

    Whilst we appreciate this is a concerning time for you try not to let your mind run away with itself.

    As Vanda said as you have had some of these symptoms for several years it is unlikely to be cancer. However you are having some tests done, just to be sure and hopefully you will have some answers soon as to what may be going on.

    Symptoms and abnormal test results can also be the result of so many different things and in most cases the cause is something less serious than cancer.

    We hope you know more soon.

    Best wishes

    Naomi

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