Possible bowel cancer - worried about my 29yr old husband

Hi, for the past 8 weeks or so my husband (29) has been experiencing constipation but with the urge to go and nothing coming out lasting 2-3 days, with stools being loose when he is eventually able to go. He has also had some cramping and bloating, and said he has noticed a little blood twice in the last couple of weeks but without pain.

We've done a lot of googling (naturally!) and of course bowel cancer comes up as a possible option, but so does colitis/chrons which we are hoping it is if it has to be something! Given that IBD is usually diagnosed between the ages of 15-30 and bowel cancer is of course more rare at a younger age, but not impossible.

He has been to see his GP today who didn't say much but booked in a blood test for tomorrow morning and asked him to hand in a stool sample. He is to go back in 2 weeks for a follow up and a likely referral to the hospital. And he will be ringing for the blood and stool sample results as soon as they're back.

I guess what makes me most anxious is the fact I've read that early stage bowel cancer doesn't tend to show symptoms, so I'm worried that if it is cancer, it's at a more advanced stage.

I'm just wondering if anyone has had any similar symptoms at a similar age and what the outcome was.

Thank you x

  • I understand that you are worried but at the same time please don't. My partner had bowel cancer age 36, whilst he did have some of the symptoms you described the bleeding was much more and he was in a huge amount of pain, so bad he would double over and needed morphine. Having been through this horrendous experience I really learned to not worry until I needed to. You are doing the right thing in getting it checked and I would urge you to keep on top of it but at the same time it could be nothing. Bleeding with constipation is common, my daughter gets it, as being constipated can cause small tears. Equally diarrhea can also happen as liquid stools pass around the constipation. It is very likely that there is nothing to worry about so as I said please don't. Follow it up, and make sure you are listened to but please stay off Google,  it caused me to worry a million percent more than I needed to at that time. Best of luck and stay positive.

  • I am 42 and experienced the same symptons for a good 6 months. My blood tests were normal and my stool test didnt show anything. I had to push for a FIT test (this tests blood in the stool, stool test doesnt check this), I had occasional red blood on my toilet paper after wiping but this comes from lower down, bleeding higher up doesnt show so obviously. I was in constant discomfort, blaoting, pain, fatigue, sleeping terribly. The 3 months up to New year were particualrly bad, i started self treating my constipation with a lot of cabbage, broccol, brussel sprouts and the like. This was a mistake, athogh it helped with the constipation, it made the cramps and bloating worse. So bad that i could only go outside for 20 min on NYE before having to go home again in massive discomfort and uttterly exhaiusted. I cant say I found the GPs paticualrly helpful or sympathetic in this case. Finally I stumbled on The low FODMAP diest and have been following strictly for 3 weeks (will contonue for another 3). I felt better after just a few days, my verrsion is basically just rice porridge, ginger, carrots, parsnip and kale and lots and lots of herbal tea and propcorn-almost nothing else-  it is not great. after 3 weeks my movements are really pretty normal. It seems I have IBS, not even IBD or bowel cancer (which i thought at first). Cut all (i mean ALL) normal food out and try this. You are doing the right thing by seeing the GP, but if the tests come back normal and your exp is anything like mine, they wont offer much advice beyond this.  Given that the pain and discomfort is clearly real. this didnt really put my mind to rest. a few weeks of Low fodmap diet has helped a lot.