Cancer or IBD

Hi - I'm after some advice or your thoughts. 

I'm nearly 32 female. Normal BMI but extra fat on stomach.

The last month or so I've noticed blood and mucus in my stools and fresh red blood on wiping pretty much everyday.
I've had some minor cramps/pain very minor lower in my abdomen but put this down to my c-section scar (7 months ago).

my stools have not changed. 
my diet isn't the best. 

No major pain or discomfort.

im tired but I wouldn't say more than normal when caring for a baby.

no abnormal weight loss. No diarrhoea.
 

I've had a digital exam no issues.

had a number of bloods all came back clear. 
 

stool sample has raised a concern - high FC and doctor didn't give a number but said there is clear inflammation and she would expect blood in stool with high levels of inflammation as mine has indicated. I've been referred for colonoscopy but I'm terrified. I'm terribly unlucky and been through so much already. My daughter is only 7 months old and other than my husband we don't have anyone so I'm terrified to leave her behind and grow up without anyone like I had. 


my mother had crohn's. 
 

Dr thinks crohns/colitis but I don't have any other symptoms so I'm convinced it's cancer and I'm going to die. 
 

anyone else similar who has been ok??? 

  • Hi sorry to hear about your symptoms, tests results and worries. It's very difficult when something that's not normal happens. It is important to remember that almost 9 in 10 bowel cancer patients are aged 60 or over.

    I had a similar experience in March. Fresh red blood when wiping, my rectal and abdo exam were normal and so were my blood tests. My FIT test wasn't normal but I had expected that since I saw the blood in my stools when I did the test. My GP referred me for a sigmoidoscopy which I'll be having this Friday. I'll let you know if it goes okay hopefully.

    Initially the hospital told me there is a long waiting list and it could take 25 weeks. I told this to my GP and she said it is upsetting how long the wait is but my blood tests and rectal exam were normal so that is reassuring. She encouraged me to call back if I get new/ persistent symptoms and I did. I've now been moved to the 2ww referral. I suggest you keep your GP updated of any new symptoms if you have to wait long.

    Hopefully since your rectal exam and blood tests were normal, it's a good sign.

    As we are both under 50, it is unlikely for this to be cancer. Hopefully everything goes okay xx

  • Hi. Obviously your doctor is going to be a better judge than any of us as to what is likely to be wrong with you. I don't think not having any other symptoms makes cancer more likely than Crohn's.

    A year and a bit ago, I had rectal bleeding, some weight loss (about a stone or a stone and a half in a year), some loose stools (maybe once a week) and trapped wind. Turned out to be hemorrhoids, which was what we all suspected. The consultant said that at my age - 40 at the time - and with those symptoms, the odds of cancer were "less than 1%" and I would be "the unluckiest person in the world" if it turned out to be cancer.

    Your symptoms could be many things, I would think, and if your doctor thinks it's Crohn's or colitis, it probably is.

    I know though that even a tiny risk of cancer is terrifying and it's hard not to think, "but what if it is?"