Hi Lau81. Welcome to the forum.  I am not a doctor.

Your age makes bowel cancer highly unlikely, although obviously there is something going on in your gut.

You shouldn't panic that you've been put on a cancer referral. On average, only 1 person in 10 who gets such a referral actually has cancer. The other 9 have something else. 

My best guess is that you will be given a colonoscopy.  This is a very common test and many people on this site (including me) have had it.  It's not the most pleasant thing but it should get you the answers you need.  

Please try not to panic. Bowel cancer at 38 is highly unlikely. 

Hi Lau,

May I ask how high your faecal calprotectin level was?

I have recently had my results back and I was told the faecal calprotectin level was greater than 2000 ug/g. Having carried out some online research, I have only found that crohn's disease realises these levels.  I have been referred for a colonoscopy for suspected colorectal cancer. I have post a question in the forum asking for anyone who have had the same levels just to understand what it means.

You say you were transferred to the cancer clinic and attended, did you get anything from attending on the 18th Apr?

I had a colonoscopy 10 years ago at the age of 29, they found a polyp which had to be removed. 

Kind regards 

Duane.

Hi Lau81,

I am going through a similar thing at the moment - currently awaiting my appt with the colorectal clinic which is on 20 May. I have been experiencing IBS symptoms for a couple of years though usually this is more constipation related rather than diarhorea (I am 29). I wasn’t concerned until I got a little bit of bleeding. Told by GP I had a small haemmorroid and a fissure which they could see which is likely to have caused this. I also had a calprotectin test a while back when I first reported IBS symptoms which came back slightly elevated, though was repeated and came back normal. Recent blood tests all normal and haven’t experienced any further bleeding since my last appt about 6 weeks ago. However, I am naturally anxious that my IBS symptoms are something more sinister - it’s easy to get worried and then this can exacerbate IBS! It’s a bit of a cycle. Still, I am worried and very nervous for my appointment due to my combination of symptoms - just try to keep telling myself it’s fine and cancer is very very rare at this age and have read some reassuring things from similar experiences on here - Hoping others can shed further positive light!

Amy

Hi Amy thanks for the reply. I seen a cancer surgeon on the 18th and he has booked me in for colonoscopy which is today at 2.30pm. After some reassurance off the surgeon explaining its very unlikely i have bowel cancer but more than likely to be Chron's i feel a lot better. Will know more of the situation today. Good luck to you xx

Thankyou for your response. I am having a colonoscopy today so hopefully will get some answers.

Hi Duane the surgeon was very reassuring saying its more than likely to be Chron's i am there today for a colonoscopy. The feacal test came back at 154.

Hi amy1702. Welcome to the forum.  

You are quite right - bowel cancer is very rare at age 29, but even when we know the stats it doesn't stop us from worrying.  Just try to keep calm and keep positive.

If this turns out to be IBS, then I recommend you ask either the clinic or your GP about the FODMAP protocol.  I was referred by my GP to a dietician; she put me through the FODMAP process and it significantly improved my IBS symptoms. 

Thats good news Lau. My GP wouldn’t refer me on an urgent referral as she was confident is was nothing to worry about and did say she was only referring me because I was so visibly worried about it all - I was nearly in tears, very anxious. I go up and down - convince myself it’s all fine and then read something which panics me. The internet is a scary place so thank you for the reassurance. 

Will update you on my appt - wish it was sooner. Good luck with the colonoscopy.

We've all frightened ourselves silly at some point by Googling our symptoms. There are some reliable sites out there, but too many are frightening and feed our fears.  

Here are my rules:

- Don't try to find information about your illness (or a loved one's illness), while you're in a vulnerable state.

- Avoid US hospital websites, and YouTube videos completely. 

- British websites such as Cancer Research and reputable single illness charity sites are generally the most reliable. 

Hi Lau,

That is certainly reassuring, I've read that certainly dietary changes can bring the levels down if it is crohn's, I hope the colonoscopy goes well.

Duane.