Possible symptoms of bowel/colon cancer

Hi all

I’m 39 and have had bowel changes since beginning of December. My movements are small pieces that are easy to pass, but gp said that this was constipation. I was sent for bloods (normal) and FIT which came back at 4. GP did rectal exam and noted nothing unusual. Said it could be a little bit of IBS and to monitor food to see if anything changes. 

Fast forward 3 months and I’m still having same issue. I was under the impression that constipation was when you struggle to go but I don’t struggle. I eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water but it’s hot and miss if I have a normal movement. I’ve maybe had 3 in the last 4 weeks. All the rest have been small pieces. 

I’m seeing a Consultant about this tomorrow as I’m getting rather worried. I’m worried that something more sinister is going on and I’ve left it too long after the first GP visit.  I find that it’s taking over my life and I’m worrying every time I need the toilet. I don’t have any other symptoms but I thought I saw some blood this evening as the water was a pink colour. 

I wondered if anyone had gone private and had tests done quicker than the normal 2WW. 

Parents
  • Hi, I’m sorry you’re going through this. My dad has been recently diagnosed with bowel cancer and his symptoms included change in bowel habits/movements, blood and mucous. He had a colonoscopy 2 years ago which showed diverticular disease and polyps (which were removed) but no cancer present. They put the bleeding down to the diverticular disease. He had multiple appointments with the GP after this as the bleeding didn’t stop, again, they told him it was nothing. Fast forward to February this year he had a large rectal bleed which resulted in being taken to A&E. He had another colonoscopy which confirmed he has stage 3 cancer (this was confirmed on the day). 


    My point is to push your GP to refer you for a colonoscopy or go privately for one if you can. It could be nothing but always better to be safe than sorry. I hope you get the answers you’re looking for!

Reply
  • Hi, I’m sorry you’re going through this. My dad has been recently diagnosed with bowel cancer and his symptoms included change in bowel habits/movements, blood and mucous. He had a colonoscopy 2 years ago which showed diverticular disease and polyps (which were removed) but no cancer present. They put the bleeding down to the diverticular disease. He had multiple appointments with the GP after this as the bleeding didn’t stop, again, they told him it was nothing. Fast forward to February this year he had a large rectal bleed which resulted in being taken to A&E. He had another colonoscopy which confirmed he has stage 3 cancer (this was confirmed on the day). 


    My point is to push your GP to refer you for a colonoscopy or go privately for one if you can. It could be nothing but always better to be safe than sorry. I hope you get the answers you’re looking for!

Children