Suspected 5cm Bowel cancer

Hi. My husband had a colonoscopy on Sunday and was told they think he has cancer in his transverse colon which is “big” at 5cm and will require surgery. He is waiting for a CT scan and an appointment after the MDT have discussed his case. I am absolutely heartbroken and finding it hard to cope. He didn’t even have any bowel symptoms apart from a tummy ache and weight loss. No bleeding, no change in habits. It was the fatigue that made him go to the dr. Google is scaring the life out of me. I have always thought big cancer is bad cancer but the dr said size doesn’t always matter. That’s not what Google is telling me, even on some of the cancer sites such as this. All I’m finding is that fatigue will mean it’s advanced as well. He has a cough as well and although he’s had a lung scan that’s clear I’m convinced it’s metastasised. Apart from that he is well in himself and has his appetite back. Is this the calm before the storm?. I’m so confused and desperate for this CT scan although I’m not sure I want the results. 

  • Hi, 

    I understand your distress.  1 because I to am being screened for bowel ca and secondly because my father was diagnosed with cancer in 2020.  For my dad it was small in size but big in stage.   The size does not matter as much if the stage is low.  My dad had extensive surgery and luckily in scans it had not grown or spread so now is cancer free.  We was terrified and I completely understand the feeling. important things to remember is. Try not to lose the precious time you have today worrying about tomorrow.  Everyone is different I guess but for us we all started spending more time with dad. Yeh I guess when I was alone I used to feel overwhelmed and cry etc but my ultimate goal was to make everyday a great day for dad and to not lose the battle.

  • Hi I’m so glad your dad is now cancer free. Thank you for your response.