Hello, 

I have recently been through the NHS 2WW cancer pathway for suspected bowel cancer following a positive FIT test which was requested after I have been experiencing symptoms for the last 6 months. 

The first colonoscopy failed as they couldn't navigate past the first loop of the colon after the sigmoid area. Two polyps were seen in the sigmoid colon both 8mm each - one pedunculated and one sessile. As they were unable to proceed any further they referred me for an urgent CT Colonography.

The results following the CT scan are that there are no further polyps further inside the colon so the next step is to go back for a flexible sigmoidoscopy and polypectomy.

I am still experiencing symptoms (pain with constipation and diarrhea everyday with difficulty passing stools - consistency is paste like when not diarrhea with mucus and dark blank mottles on the surface) which seem to be worse than what could be caused by 2 polyps and I'm worried that a flexible sigmoidoscopy will miss any possible smaller polyps or lesions further inside the bowel. 

Should I be asking for a full colonoscopy or do you think that the flexible sigmoidoscopy will be adequate? 

I have a history of severe endometriosis and have undergone surgery for this in 2023. I am a 42 year old female and have very low body weight, all of which possibly made the colonoscopy more difficult in terms of being able to navigate beyond the lower part of the rectum/colon. I also have to hEDS and fibromyalgia, cystocele, hiatus hernia, moderate gerd and intra-oesophageal dysmotility.

I want to make sure that the next steps help to address my concerns fully as I'm so worried about something being missed.