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Bowel/Rectal cancer symptoms. I'm beside myself

Bonsai
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Hi, I wonder if anyone can help or just talk to me a little bit, I'm so scared and by myself for a few days so starting to spiral into a panic.

 

Basic background is that I have had unexplained stomach pain/cramping for at least 10 months now. Had a trans vaginal scan to rule out anything reproductive related, all ok. I've had blood tests for various things which were ok (CA25 test, celiac test etc) and I provided a stool sample about 6months ago which was ok.

My stomach cramps are constant. Not severe but enough to keep me awake. GP has continuously suggested IBS but I don't particularly have issues surrounding this - a little constipated sometimes but regular and no diarrhoea. I have been waiting 9 months to see a gastrologist. I'm now paying privately to see someone in 10 days.

Now I have started bleeding when I go. Havent seen blood in the stool or in the toilet but when I wipe. It's bright red.

I have had piles on and off for a long time (awful delivery of my son 8 years ago) and I think it might be the piles internally bleeding. I'm also wondering if I have some fissures because it stings sometimes when I go and my bottom is sore afterwards.

However...I know these are cancer symptoms too and I'm terrified. I think I need a colonoscopy, but have just read that the waiting time is awful at the moment. 

 

I'm beside myself with worry. I'm going back to gp on Tuesday if I can get an appt and I've got the private appt next week.

I'm  a lone parent and 40

  I don't know what to do, I can't stop crying. 

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    I am much the same age as you and over the summer, I had some blood on wiping and some other symptoms. The consultant told me that at our age, cancer would be the least likely of all the possible explanations and I'd be "the unluckiest person in the world" if it turned out to be that.

    I did have a colonoscopy and they found exactly what we all expected - piles and nothing else. It's quite likely to be the same in your situation. You're doing exactly the right thing by seeing your GP but the odds are very much in your favour. Cancer is probably very unlikely.

  • Offline in reply to MargaretMary

    Thank you so much for replying, it means a lot, I'm so worried at the moment, it's been a pretty grim boxing day. 

     

    Can I ask how long you waited for the procedure? 

  • Offline in reply to Bonsai

    I'm in Ireland and there was a cyberattack on our health service at the time, so likely to be very different from your situation. I was waiting about two and a half months from the time I went to my GP to the time I got a colonoscopy.

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