Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 7 replies
  • Views 1222 views
  • Users 0 members are here

Bowel Cancer Symptoms

EJ1995
Offline

Hi All,

I wonder if anyone can help me at all, this post might be long & a bit jumbled but I'm just seeking any kind of help or reassurance.

My boyfriend is currently suffering from some bleeding when he goes to the toilet, the blood is not in the stool or in the toilet pan, it is only when he wipes quite hard and it's not every time. Sometimes he can go a week or 2 with none. It's always bright red blood, never old blood. The reason why I am slightly concerned is because he has been suffering for the last 2 months or so with a bit of an upset stomach. He is passing wind a lot more (he's a man so often is passing wind anyway!) and is getting more painful gas than usual. Sometimes he finds when he eats he feels a bit sick, and he usually needs to go to the toilet soon after eating. He does suffer from some bloating, but I'd say only really after eating - it's not really there after that. But it's concerning that for a few months he has had these stomach problems as well as bleeding. 
 

I can't give an accurate time as to when the bleeding started as he says it's been for quite a long time but the stomach issues have only been for the last 2 months. When I first found out about the bleeding I actually thought it was internal hemarroids as he has symptoms regarding itching around the anus area and discomfort but now with these stomach issues I am getting anxious it's sometbing more sinister.

 

I'd like to add my boyfriend is only 24, so incredibly young so I know it's unlikely but I am concerned that it's something worse than just IBS and maybe some internal haemorrhoids mixed in. Has anyone ever had a case where they have been bleeding & stomach issues but not turned out to be cancer? He has no fatigue and is definitely not losing weight but I don't understand if it is IBS why he is also bleeding.

Sorry this post seems a bit jumbled but I would be keen to hear if anyone has had a similar experience, or if anyone could advise what their bowel cancer symptoms started with? As I am getting more and more anxious now. 
 

Thanks

  • Offline

    Hi

    Sorry you are going through all this worry. The only way to get this sorted is to visit his GP.

    He has age on his side but bowel cancer still has to be ruled out but there are lots of other causes of bleeding.

    I have had bowel cancer and my advice is..... go get anything checked out. If it's nothing, great you can forget about it. If it is something then the sooner treatment starts, the better chance of cure.

    We are going through this at the moment with my step dad, he is 87 and has seen blood, as you describe, bright red and not in the poo. He was checked for piles at GP's then referrred in the 2 week urgent referral (this is normal where there is a chance it could be cancer so don't think this is bad news if they do this with your boyfriend), he has no other symptoms. After his hospital appointment which came within a week he is having a colonoscopy next in just over a week, this will show anything in the bowel.

    Everyone does it but don't look things like this up on the internet, it put's alsorts of ideas in your head and scares you to death. You tend to focus on the worse you read and forget about all the other many less serious things that it could be.

    Good luck and see if you can get an appointment soon. 

  • Offline in reply to Ineedabreak

    Hi,

    Thank you so much for your reply! I really appreciate it. I am pushing him to go to the doctors because of the bleeding, he seems to not be too worried but like you say you have to get these things checked out.

    If you don't mind me asking, what did your symptoms start off like? I know everyone's is different but there does seem to be a couple of common denominators? I'm struggling as he has literally every single symptom of IBS which would explain things, and a couple of bowel cancer but it's the bleeding which is scaring me.

    With a colonoscopy do you get the results instantly? It's so hard isn't it, he also suffers from eczema and has a slight tear on the lining of his bum, which has a caused issues with infections & that could potentially be the itching.. so maybe it's not a hemarroid either! I know he has to go to the doctors I just wanted to see what people's experiences were like.

    I hope everything goes okay with your step dad!

  • Offline in reply to EJ1995

    Hi

    I've actually had BC twice.

    First time it was missed for 18 months as the GP's at my old practice said I had IBS. The symptoms were bad indigestion every day and a pain that would come and go quickly just above my belly button.

    Second time I had every bowel cancer symptom except weght loss.

    I'm in my 50's btw. The blood I had was mixed in the poo making it all a 'burgundy colour'.

    Also I was anaemic.

    Thank you, if you want to know anything else, feel free to message me as I don't always see replies on threads. Let me know how he gets on.

  • Offline in reply to Ineedabreak

    O sorry, yes, usually you get the results at the end of the test.

  • Offline in reply to Ineedabreak

    Hi,

    I just sent you a request so I could message you privately!

     

     

  • Offline

    Hi

    Your boyfriend is too young to have bowel cancer and the cause of the bleeding might well be something else but whatever it is, it needs to be checked asap. Symptoms of bowel cancer differ from individual to individual, and depend where in the bowel the cancer is, but some common symptoms are a change of bowel habits, this means a change of whatever was usual, it may be going to to toilet more often, having loose stools, or constipation, or alternating between loose and hard, or going to the toilet and feeling that you didn't empty the bowel completely. Sometimes there is also nausea or a sort of burning feeling in the belly, but not always.

    The bleeding can be caused by many different things and the GP may refer the patient for a colonoscopy. That's a very easy and quick exam, lasting between 15 and 30 minutes and you'll have the result straight away.

    The colonoscopy requires a preparation diet beforehand to empty the colon before the exam. Usually the patient is given an appointment with a nurse who will explain everything about the exam, and the diet to do for 2 days before the exam. The nurse will also give some medicine called PREP to mix with 2 litres of water. The patient drinks the solution the day before the exam and starts going to the toilet after about 1 hour to empty the bowel. It's not painful, doesn't cause cramps or anything. This allows the bowel to be clear and clean so the specialist can see what's going on with an instrument. After emptying the bowel, the patient cannot eat anything until after the exam, but can drink clear liquids, water and juices. This preparation I found to be the most anoying bit, the rest was very easy.

    I hope this helps and puts your mind at rest. And remember that whatever the diagnosis, there are very good treatments, and your boyfriend will be well looked after by the medical staff.

    All the best for you both

    XXXX

     

  • Offline

    hi, hope this helps. i'm 31 (like to call myself young also) and for well over a year i have had all of those symptoms and more. i often go through phases of having a bit of blood when wiping but it is always sore at the same time so i think it is just where i'm going a lot and as a result wiping a lot.  i went through a load of blood tests and about four different stool tests, all were ok. finally got given a ct colonography end of october, waiting on result to be typed out but been told there is nothing to worry about.

    definitely worth getting checked out, good luck

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.