Hi SalGB, and thank you for your post.

I'm sorry to read about your dad’s Metastatic Bowel Cancer situation. This must be a difficult time for the family.

I can appreciate that you want to know more about your dad’s prognosis. But I’m afraid I can't tell you very much, as someone's outlook will depend on several features of their disease, and it is such a hard thing to predict.

Cancer behaves differently in each person, making an accurate prediction impossible. Prognosis is really a question best answered by your dad’s hospital team. This is because they are familiar with all his medical details and will know so much more about his individual situation.

If your dad’s hospital specialist has stopped treatment, then your dad is likely to be referred to the Palliative Care Team.

The Palliative care team can provide physical, emotional, and psychological support for all family members.

I cannot be completely certain, but the levels they are referring to may be tumour markers. Tumour markers are typically proteins produced by cancer. They are used to identify cancer and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Everyone copes with a cancer diagnosis differently; there is no one right way to deal with it. It can be very emotionally draining on the family who is trying to support someone who has cancer; you must be supported too. The hospital where your dad is being treated may have a cancer information and support centre, and sometimes these are run by the hospital or Macmillan Cancer Support. There may also be a Maggie Centre where your dad, you and the family can go to speak to someone and get some support. Both these centres may also provide benefits advice if needed.

You may also like to read our webpages on How to support someone with cancer and Taking care of yourself.

I hope this information is useful.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5 pm Monday to Friday.

 Kind regards

Tina