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Extremely worried about bowel cancer

ljones
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Hello all!

I'm going out of my mind here as I am concerned that I have bowel cancer. By and large I've noticed a change in bowel habits (I think I have softer poo and I seem to have increased amounts of gas.

I've also done the FIT test and had a blood test. I was told that my blood test came back normal but that the FIT test came back with a positive reading of 22; I've  been told by my GP that the highest value is 10.

I've also been having "odd-shaped" poo -- sometimes it looks normal and other times it can be like a thin wriggly worm for want of a better word. Also it does look "softer" as well. I have been looking online regarding my symptons but have stuck to NHS websites and videos.

I have another very big concern however. I've already spoken to my GP and I have an appointment to see them on friday. They say I need to have the camera test but I am looking at the waiting tines for my area in NHS hospitals and have seen that the waiting time is 18 weeks(!). That is far too long and I think given my smyptons it should be classed as an emergency. 

Is there anfy way I can get my GP to do this for me? Does anyone know what I need to do and say to speed things up at all? Waiting around for 18 weeks if there is a chance of cancer isn't a exactly a good thing to do in my book.

I'm completely fine with travelling to anywhere in the country if that helps. Can anyone help me at all?

ljones

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    FYI I don't wish to reveal my exact location on the internet however I will say that I live in  southern england. I'm also white male ages 53 .

    ljones

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    Hello ljones

    my understanding is that your doctor can refer you on to a shorter pathway for treatment if they deem that to be required .l would say do not get ahead of yourself and wait until you see your doctor, hard l know having been there myself.

    As to travelling anywhere in the country l believe you would only be referred to within your local health board area unless you are considering to go the private route, which given you only have a few days to your appointment makes your best option to await the outcome of that.

    Looking at the internet whatever site is a sure way to increase your stress, which will in turn increase your symptoms as your mind goes into the pre judgement state making your situation worse.

    You are shortly seeing your doctor who has trained to do the job they do, try not to spend the next few days pre judging the outcome of your appointment,

    best wishes,

    David

  • Offline in reply to gruntifen

    Thanks there. I hope they can put me onto a shorter pathway though right now I do not know. It will either have to be that or I'll just have to suck it up and stump up the costs fror a private colonoscopy. No chance of me surviving 18 weeks and *if* it were cancer that would give it time to spread - it almost seems as if they haven't taken that into account.

    ljones

  • Offline in reply to gruntifen

    Ok, I've now gone to the doctors. I printed out a list of questions I needed to ask them and *hurrah* the doctor I spoke to went through them line by line! (That hasn't happened in the past).

    The good news is that my "score" of 22 isn't considered "high" -- the doctor told me that if I were older and on the bowel cancer screening programme the limit is 50, so below that. Also I asked about "softer" stool but that seems to apply to just the stool being watery basically a mushy dihorrea mess. The doctor also said that I'm about 1-2% at risk of bowel cancer.

    I'm still having the camera test and been told that I should hear something within a couple of weeks.

    So not bad news, but not completely good either.

    ljones

  • Offline in reply to ljones

    Hello again,

    perhaps now you can start singing along to MR BLUE SKY and cheer yourself up since you are a lot closer to that than humming CHOPINS FUNERAL MARCH, promote and embrace your latest good news and leave the doubts aside for the time being since the positives far outweigh the negatives

    Its pleasing to hear your better news, keep it coming that way,

    David

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    I work in a GP surgery and you can be referred as an urgent suspicion of cancer which always has the aim that you get seen within around 2 weeks. They will not make you wait 18 weeks if your GP has any concerns 

  • Offline in reply to ljones

    Hello.

    I had a fit test last October which came back positive, but low, and I was fast tracked and seen within the two weeks. I’m sure that will be the same for you so don’t worry. My colonoscopy was done within the 2 weeks also so take everything one step at a time.

    Good luck with everything.

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    Had a little "shock" this morning as I looked into my emails - your gp is concerned that you may have cancer. Though I guess this is just a "standard" email that you get since the GP has referred me to have a colonoscopy. 

    Just waiting on a time for the examination to take place now. 

    Thanks for all the replies here btw :-) !

    ljones

  • Offline in reply to ljones

    Going to have the colonoscopy on monday. I hope it goes well - I'm terrified and worried that it will be "you've got cancer". :-(

    ljones

  • Offline in reply to ljones

    Hi Buddy. I feel for you and know what you are going through as I have been there. Go with the flow, it could be many things other than cancer, but if it is you will be cared for by the best. Easy said than done, but try not to get yourself stressed out. It is a worrying time but Monday you will know which direction you are going and believe me, you will be put at your ease by all the people involved. Speak to somebody on Monday, if you can, about your fears and you may be pleasantly surprised about how much better you will feel.

    Good luck Monday, I will be thinking of you.

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