Hi hope you don't mind me jumping on your post. I've just seen your post Steve. I'm 50 and I've been having abdominal pains now for 8 weeks. I've also had weight loss, tiredness and my bowel habits have changed. I've just had a FIT test and that has come back abnormal. So I've been told I need a colonoscopy for suspected cancer. I've read this post and it has given me some relief but I am worried as you can imagine. 

I know exactly how you feel as does everyone else on here. You just need to remember that there's multiple things it could be. Using Google can be worse as well as it makes you more paranoid! I was the world's worst for it and it drove me round the twist.

9 out 10 people get the all clear so that's something you need to remember as well.

Hi Helen, I’m new to this forum and just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear your news. 8 weeks is such a long time - my optimistic mind assumes maybe they’re not as worried about it growing/spreading if they can wait longer to remove it, but my more realistic mind says it doesn’t make a difference when cancer is involved - you’d want it out of you as soon as possible. I really hope you don’t have to wait that long x

8 weeks that does seem a long way away bless you. I don't blame you I would call too. We have a private hospital near me too that is like another private healthcare hospital in the area Ithink, I don't know if you have any near you too. X

Helen its not great news and the shock I can only imagine ,8 weeks will feel like a lifetime ,if you can have it done privately it will be money well spent ,its exactly what I would do ,its all right them suggesting its ok to wait 8 weeks but its your mental health as well as your physical health ,once its gone you will start to feel better I think sometimes its knowing its in there and imagining it spreading ,I wish you all the best and hope you get sorted very soon x

I have a private hospital in Norwich where I live...cant seem to find out via Google if can be done earlier.. is all a bit confusing..can pay for it no problem x

8 weeks is bloody ages and that is on top of 2 weeks wait from now re CT scan..I can pay for it as not a problem financially..just don't know how to sort it.

Feels all overwhelming right now x

Ring them tomorrow Helen ,I've heard of others using them x

Thanks jenny I will do tomorrow x

 Is the operating to take the polyp off ? I think I’d do the same if it was me as well. Good luck Helen. Xx

I would give them a call Helen and have a chat with them I bet they will be able to do it soon for you and they might be able to do the CT scan for you too so you don't have to wait for that either x

I had a call from the colorectal team today..a nurse specialist..she said CT on Sunday vital as they know what they are dealing with..she said week after next their MDT decide what surgery ie extent needed..she says prob likely end Nov and that not too likely would be any quicker privately. She said likely keyhole and a 5 to 7 day stay in hospital..

But once I know thr CT scans I can ask..she will find out right people to talk to..

She said any polyps that look suspicious they leave in as if they are malignant they don't miss any cells..

She did say this is point of screening programme to pick things up hopefully before they go deeper or spread and that I've no symptoms and am generally fit and healthy but of course no promises at all whatsoever  xx

I had a call from the colorectal team today..a nurse specialist..she said CT on Sunday vital as they know what they are dealing with..she said week after next their MDT decide what surgery ie extent needed..she says prob likely end Nov and that not too likely would be any quicker privately. She said likely keyhole and a 5 to 7 day stay in hospital..

But once I know thr CT scans I can ask..she will find out right people to talk to..

She said any polyps that look suspicious they leave in as if they are malignant they don't miss any cells..

She did say this is point of screening programme to pick things up hopefully before they go deeper or spread and that I've no symptoms and am generally fit and healthy but of course no promises at all whatsoever  xx

At least things are happening now. I'm sure my mate at work had to wait a couple of months for surgery. He said it made no difference to the cancer growth. It was keyhole surgery he had. He said they were Fantastic with him. He's made a complete recovery. 

Oh Helen I so wish it could have been better news for you, I’ve read though and I’m sure you will have done that bowel cancers slow growing. Things seem to be happening now and it’s not long till November. Keep in touch with us all, HUGS xx

Hiya..that's good to hear..did he have a polyp too? They said 5 to 7 days in hospital but not sure what time is needed to recover at home..think u mentioned a couple of months in all for him?

Thanks Sue..yes I wish better news..they did say today that is is a small polyp at 15mm so I do hope is caught early.. and your husband's is very similar I think too..not long till his colonoscopy now x

He had 3 polyps. 1 was cancerous. He was off work for 3 months in total. I'm sure he said he was in hospital for 4 days. 

Now he's back at work he wishes he was off again!

Lol re being off..

Was he off after diagnosis or from surgery and after? I've got couple of weeks off at moment but not sure if I'll get signed off for longer as not unwell as such..

Stupidly googled survival rates earlier.....I wish I hadn't!!! The nurse did say not to...

That was definitely a bad move googling Helen, there’s so much they can do now and yours isn’t all that big considering I’ve read big ones, let’s hope they can just take it off with a bit of bowel and nothing else is needed, I’m sure it’s found early as not all that big compared to some. Yes my husband’s biggest is 16mm so more or les the same as yours and like you no symptoms at all, start the prep at 5 tomorrow how he’ll manage that with no stomach I don’t know or it could work in his favour. Stay strong lovely xx

Omg I can't believe you did that 

And now it's made you even more paranoid?

Tbh I can kind of understand why you've done that as it sounds like the kind of thing id of done.

Bless you, your really going through the mill here aren't you.

Helen most of those Google Stats are way out of Date ,as we know cancer treatments have improved so much over recent years so I wouldn't pay too much attention to them ,in an ideal world you would be having your surgery next week so you could quickly get on with your life but because of backlogs  shortage of staff and Doctors strikes you are having to wait for quite a long time ,I would let them know that you are available at short notice if there are any cancellations that's a possibility or as you say you could possibly get seen quicker if you can get a private appointment .