Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 4 replies
  • Views 120 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Worried my GP dismissed me because of my age

ramhaillia.
Offline

19M (9th April, 2026 in case anyone wants to reference this in the future <3)

Hi, I had a gp appointment 2 days ago where i brought up concerns about bowel cancer and was told not to worry about ot by my GP, i was hoping for a second opinion.

I have always had some blood when wiping since being a kid, but in october i had a week and a half of much heavier bleeding when having a bowel movement. Then again for 2.5 weeks in march i had even heavier bleeding, think bright red blood on toilet paper with several wipes for around 5 - 10 minutes. There would also be some in the bowl and a couole of times i saw bright red streaks on the stool. 

I had an existing appointment around health anxiety medication in which i chose to bring this up. That morning I had also started with some lower abdominal pain that wouldnt stop. I mentioned all of these things on top of some concerns of potential iron deficiency ( breathlessness when standing up quickly and things like that. Though this wouldn't *not* make sense for me. I have quite a low iron diet, eat a very high amount of dairy which inhibits iron absorbtion and that coupled with the bleeding makes me not too worried about that being a potential symptom. 

Following a rectal exam he chalked it up to me having a lot of hemorrhoids and told me not to worry about it. However I've heard a lot of horror stories about GPs dismissing younger patients when they shouldn't have and cancer actually being present. Ive also developed some constipation since the appointment and the abdominal pain got worse. 

Just been really worried about it, I have a follow up appointment about the SSRIs in 3 weeks and plan to bring it back up then but I'm worried about whether it can wait that long? Should I trust his diagnosis? My symptoms feel really concerning and I'm just not sure it can all be chalked up to hemorrhoids. I know IBS or IBD is more likely but I can't get the possibility of Bowel Cancer out of my head.

Sorry for this being so long, I suffer from horrific health anxiety and have barely been able to sleep since the appointment. This is ruining me at the minute and really hurting my partner too, as much as she's brilliant my anxiety is reslly getting to her and there's only so much she can take. Any help or reassurance would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

  • Offline

    Also just to add the pain hasn't really gone away since. It isn't terrible but certainly not comfortable and has been in the same 2 places since the morning of the 7th

  • Hi Ramhaillia and thank you for your post.

     I’m really sorry you have symptoms that you are concerned about. It sounds very stressful, and it’s understandable that you’re worried.

    Bowel cancer at a young age is very uncommon, and as you have said there are many other causes of your symptoms.

    From what you’ve described, your symptoms can be caused by piles (haemorrhoids), especially if they were seen or felt on a rectal examination.

    As you have new symptoms of constipation, and increased abdominal pain, I would advise you to book another appointment or get a second opinion, and discuss these concerns separately, not as part of your SSRI review.

    In the meantime, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust have a self help guide on health anxiety which you may find helpful.

    The NHS website Every Mind Matters has useful tips on looking after our mental health, and there is phone app based support. There is also a section on managing anxiety that might be useful. 

    Should you have a difficult episode/day, there are support helplines such as the charity MIND that maybe able to help.

    I hope you know more soon and everything is okay.

    It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

    Kind regards,

    Tina

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Tina

    Would you say I have any reason to sorry as of yet? As i said i know its most likely irrational. Also just found out i have some family history of Ulcerative Collitis but its not very close, 3rd degree separation though potentially 1st degree that I won't be able to confirm until saturday. 

    I messaged my GP practise about recieving a second opinion/referral to a specialist

  • in reply to ramhaillia.

    Hi ramhaillia.

    Thank you for contacting us again.

    Based on what you’ve said so far, there doesn’t seem to be a strong reason to worry right now.

    As well as piles , stress and anxiety can also cause abdo pain and changes to your bowels.

    Wait until you see the doctor again. Until then see if the websites that I gave you can help reduce your anxiety.

    Having a  family history of ulcerative colitis does not mean you are likely to have it.  It just means your GP might keep it in mind if symptoms continue.

    I hope you get an appointment soon.

    Take care,

    Tina

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.