Hello Rachelerm and thanks for posting,

I am sorry to learn that you have been having unexplained symptoms and can appreciate the worry they can trigger until you have some answers. I think it is easy to forget that there are a number of other digestive conditions that can also cause symptoms so try and keep an open mind and not just think in terms of cancer.

Bowel cancer can sometimes be heredita,ry but most of the time it isn't, when it is, there is usually a noticeable pattern in the family often with more than one affected relative diagnosed at a young age.  Most bowel cancers occur in older people and aren't strongly linked to known inherited factors.  

At a colonoscopy they usually tell you what they think on the spot, but if they need to take any little biopsies, you need to wait for the results to come back from the labs - this can take a week or two depending on how urgently they need to be done. So you should be a step nearer to knowing what is going on next week. 

Waiting is seldom easy and most people in similar situations are unsettled. It is tempting to go on line to try to compare symptoms but I don't this will help much. Try not to focus on things like the colour of your stools as this sort of thing can take you around in circles without making you any the wiser.  Do your best to hold their nerve and keep yourself distracted over the coming week until your appointment. 

If you want to talk anything over do give us a call. Our number is 0808 800 4040 and we are around weekdays, 9-5.

Best wishes, 

Julia