Hello,

I hope someone here can help explain the process of a bowel cancer diagnosis and/or ease my mind.

For the last 7-8 months I had been noticing that my acid reflux was getting worse and there was so much bloating, with intermittent constipation and diarrhoea. Anyhoo, so I kinda ignored it till a month ago when I started to notice mucus with bowel movements, and I was now having primarily loose stools. 
My husband suggested I speak to my GP, which I did, not expecting much. She made me give stool samples, and to cut a long story short, blood was found and I was fastracked for a colonoscopy and ultrasound. The ultrasound was unremarkable apart from a bit of fatty liver. The colonoscopy highlighted one polyp in the lower bowel, which was removed. They also noted lots of tiny polyps in my stomach, but they didn't seem that bothered by it. 
 

My question is if a colonoscopy is the only tool to confirm cancer or do I have to wait for the biopsy results? What is the process and the waiting time? FYI I live in London. I wasn't too worried but my at the moment I can't eat anything without getting pain and cramping and I have to go to the toilet 5-8 x a day and it's scaring me. No other issues were really noted. Can anyone please give me more info on the diagnosis process? 
 

Many thanks in advance!