Cancer Research UK main site

Lost colonoscopy biopsies

Sheenajean
Offline

I had a colonoscopy April 2018 NHS which showed low grade dysplasia but no polyps. I had to get a private consultant to write to my Gp to get colonoscopy repeated on the NHS, they wrote to me and said it was normal! I had a repeat colonscopy in January 2019 which showed some small polyps and biosopies were taken. The hospital NHS has lost my biopsies. What can I do now, the consultant is being very dismissive saying they would be normal. I’m very concerned as my mum died of bowel cancer. I don’t want to repeat tests if not needed but very concerned as have lost weight and have change in bowel habits. 

  • Offline

    Hello Sheenajean, 

    I can understand why you are feeling concerned after your colonoscopy biopsies were lost. I think if you are worried and given your family history and the fact that you have symptoms, I think you have a right to request for these tests to be repeated. You mentioned that your consultant is being dismissive and assumes that the biopsies would be normal - perhaps to get reassurance on all this, you could ask to speak to a different consultant just to have a second opinion? You do have some valid reasons to want to have this investigated properly so I think it is worth getting in touch with them and seeing whether you could have these tests repeated just for peace of mind. 

    How unfortunate that the biopsies were lost! I bet this happens very rarely so it was really bad luck that it happened to you. 

    Let us know what you find out if you get a chance

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.