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Colon cancer worries.

Maybelle342
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Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I'm feeling a bit lost and not sure what else to do. I'm sorry if this is long I'm just looking for some advice.

 

In November of last year I experienced rectal bleeding after a bowel movement, not sure how much blood but it was enough to colour the toilet water red. This then happened again the exact same in December.

I went to see my GP who did a digital rectal exam and couldn't feel anything but said he'd refer me for a flexible sigmoidscopy anyway. I felt relieved that something would be done.

I got on with my life and had no bleeding again until March of this year and this time it was after a particularly painful movement and there wasn't as much blood as before, only a few drops. Still, I went back to my GP and again was examined with nothing felt and they would chase up my referal for the sigmoidscopy which I still had heard nothing about. So I waited only to be told I was still on a waiting list as it was a non urgent referral.

Again the bleeding stopped until June where it then reappeared after a bout of diarrhea. At this point I was pregnant and getting concerned as the bleeding just kept coming back and now I also had some dull tummy aches every other day. I went back to my GP for a 4th time. The same as before happened, another exam with nothing found and told I probably had piles. This GP referred me for therapy as I do suffer from health anxiety though at this point I think I have good reason to be concerned. 

Now I'm just at a loss for what to do. I'm 25 years old and convinced I have some form of colon cancer that is being ignored due to my age. I've called up about my referal to be told I've another 11 weeks to wait before I'll be offered an appointment. I'm convinced that by the time I'm eventually seen and taken seriously it will be too late and I'm in no position to pay for private. 

So sorry for rambling, just needed to vent and looking for some reassurance.

 

 

 

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    I'm no medical expert but it does sound alot like piles. Mine got worse when i was pregnant. They were awful! I would be reassured by the fact that you have a space of  a couple of months between each instance. The referral does seem a long time to wait but it will soon come around x

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    I thought I responded to this. Like story78, I am no expert, but it really doesn't sound like colon cancer. I agree with story78 that it sounds like piles. The symptoms you are describing are incredibly common and even among older people, are generally not cancer. At your age, any one of the many other explanations are way more likely.

    I have had rectal bleeding on and off for the past year. For the first month, it was nearly daily, though admittedly only on the toilet paper. I had also lost about a stone in a year and had occasional loose stools (maybe once a week) and trapped wind. The specialist said that as I was only 40, the odds of cancer were less than one in 100. Given that you are a good deal younger than me, the odds are probably even lower in your case.

  • Offline in reply to MargaretMary

    Thanks for your reply. 

    I try to tell myself that because I'm only 25 that realistically it probably is something simple but reading about the cases of colorectal cancer rising in people of my age range has scared me stiff.

  • Offline in reply to story78

    I have actually checked to see if I have any internal piles. As embarrassing and awful as it sounds I checked in the mirror and something does appear when I squat and bear down so I am hoping that what I'm seeing are in fact internal piles. 

     

    Surely colon cancer cannot be seen this way?

  • Offline in reply to Maybelle342

    When you feel anxious like this, google is not your friend. The more you read about colon cancer, the more you convince yourself that you have it. Our minds can pay cruel tricks on us.

    The self exam you have done does sound very much like piles. Bare in mind though, the more you do that, the worse your piles will get so will exaggerate your symptoms!

    Take a deep breath. Focus on that fact that the odds are VERY much in your favour. If in 11 weeks time, they confirm they have no concerns, you will be gutted that you have wasted all this time stressing about it xx

     

  • Offline in reply to story78

    I know that you are right, it's such a vicious cycle I've found myself in and it's so hard to break. Just can't help thinking the worst all the time. 

    I start therapy soon for health anxiety so hoping this will help to relax me until I can be seen and hopefully told that I have nothing serious. Just never thought I could get piles at this age and the dull tummy aches I've been having...well, my brain just puts 2 and 2 together, especially after all the horrid things I've read on Google xx

  • Offline in reply to Maybelle342

    You will be fine. Just take each day as it comes. It sounds weird but everytime you feel a negative thought creeping in, say out loud "No" and distract yourself. Ultimately worrying changes nothing. It just takes the energy out of your day. Sending lots of love and positivity xx

  • Offline in reply to story78

    Thank you for your kind words, it's really appreciated. I'm trying my best to stay positive, have even gone so far as to block Google from my phone because I know I can't help searching things up and then I spiral. Let's hope everything turns out okay so I can focus on enjoying my pregnancy. 

    Lots of love and positivity back to you xx

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