Hi low hop your ok am waiting for another Bowel scenting I had one 15 months ago am so freaking out that they missed it and now I've got invasive cancer sorry for going on 

Hi Lynne 

My mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer just before the first lockdown. She was told multiple times she didn't have cancer, she had blood in her stools that were tested twice, she had multiple blood tests, and she was told cancer wasent even being considered, she was suspecting crohns. She went for a routine colonoscopy purely due to her persistence, she kept going back to the gp as she new something wasent right. During the colonoscopy they found a tumour in her small bowel and immediately told her they thought it was cancer. My mum obviously said straight away but I've been told I've not got cancer, they screen my stools twice and did multiple blood tests, the consultant then said sometimes it doesn't always show up and it does get missed. She had a biopsy which confirmed cancer and was told she would be put on the list for surgery. Operations were getting cancelled left and right due to covid, so were really surprised when 6weeks later she was one of the first to be called in for her operation. They found a small growing cancerous tumour in her small bowel and managed to remove the whole thing and she didn't have to have a stoma fitted which she was really concerned about. I no its easier said than done but try not to worry x

This all sounds very familiar. I think we do know our own bodies and it's frustrating when no one listens to us. I first posted this 3 years ago. My story is almost the same as your mums. I have had tests every year since and so far everything has come back clear. I am due to be signed off in 6 months if nothing shows on my next set of scans. It's left me with terrible health anxiety. I have no faith in my GP since she didn't send me anywhere initially when I went to see her with my symptoms and she continues to be dismissive of anything I go to see her with. I've been lucky I know but It's all been a struggle to deal with I.e. waiting for results and phone calls. Your mum will probably have the same yearly tests now and hopefully everything will be ok. It's such a life changing thing and I do understand how worried you must be. 

It was the same with my mum when she went to the gp, weve had the same gp since we were babies but our dr wasent there it was a locum she kept seeing who just kept dismissing her and sending her away. She said she really started to get persistent when she had to be within close range of a toilet everytime she ate something, and the pain she was getting, she new something wasent right. Looking back my mum suffered with severe night sweats for years, and before her diagnosis she lost a huge amount of weight, its only now looking back at photos I can see she really did look poorly.  Thank god she was so persistent and didn't give up as it could of been a very different story. 

I'm really glad to hear your cancer free now and everything worked out for you x

I've been worrying myself because of constant trips to the toilet and stomach pain. I haven't felt great but I know some diverticulitis was found so I'm thinking it's that. The thought of having to start up with it all again is terrifying me. I didn't have pain when I first had symptoms, I just saw blood. That was all. I do have a colonoscopy due so I guess all will become clear. It was due in April but hasn't been done yet due to covid. 
 

My previous doctor was wonderful but since moving house my doctor now is really not approachable. I think she thinks I'm being a nuisance and I'm frightened to go. It shouldn't be like this should it? I hope you're mum is now cancer free and can move on with her life. I know it's not easy. Everyone thinks you should be happy but unfortunately it takes a lot out of us and it's hard to think everything will be fine. 

I do suffer with IBS too.. I know it can be other things but my mad mind tells me otherwise in the middle of the night! I keep telling myself that bloods and scans were clear in July. I'd like to move house to get away from my current GP but that's not been easy as viewing anywhere has been out of the question during lockdown and we don't really want people looking round our house either. We've had no one here since March other that our daughter's family who we formed a bubble with. I completely understand your health concerns. I read something recently regarding family members of someone being diagnosed with cancer becoming worried by their own health. I think it's a normal reaction but it's frightening all the same.