Loose stools with rectal bleeding, worried about bowel cancer!

I've suffered with bowel issues for 4+ years now, mainly loose stools, and occassional bleeding. About three years ago I had a sigmoidoscopy to check this out and was told my bowels were perfect, no issues, but they found internal hemorrhoids which they said caused the occassional bleeding (this happens maybe evrery few months during a flare up of IBS). They diagnosed me with IBS. Other symptoms I suffer with is (TMI) itchy anus after flare up and sometimes mucus).

Tbh generally speaking my symptoms are annoying but manageable and the flare ups come and go.

I haven't seen a doctor about this for some time, so I went to see a GP today just to check nothing should be investigated further (I'm in the midst of a flare up). It was more of a precaution, but it was a different lady to whom I usually see who thought I should have more investigation done to check again for IBD and cancer. This REALLY set off my health anxiety which I used to suffer with. 

I asked her if cancer was likely and she said 'less likely, but not unlikely'. English wasn't her first language so not sure if it's just a turn of phrase for her, but this really panicked me, because pretty much every doctor has told me that this is extremley unlikely! :(

If you have any reassurance to offer please do! I am 27 by the way. I am glad I am getting the tests but this really set off my anxiety.

  • Hello catgirl99

    I'm sorry to hear that you've had a recent flare-up of some ongoing health problems and that following your GP appointment earlier this week you're now waiting on some further investigations.

    As you've not seen your GP about these issues in quite some time, it's good to hear that you've checked in with them again and it seems sensible that they're referring you for another check-up just to check that nothing has changed since your last set of investigations. 

    Unfortunately, it's not uncommon that sometimes the language used by health professionals can leave us feeling more anxious than before we saw them but try to remember that the majority of people who are referred on a cancer pathway are not diagnosed with cancer. 

    The important thing now is to get your ongoing symptoms re-checked and hopefully, the team will be able to offer you some reassurance and help with continued treatment or management advice. 

    If you'd like to talk things through with one of our team of nurses they will be back in the office from 9am on Wednesday 27th December and are available on 0808 800 4040. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator