Can I have cancer if my blood tests are mostly normal?

Hi,

I have had pelvic/lower abdominal pain for about 8 months now. It is a continuous pain, some occasional blood in my stools. My Dad had Colon cancer at aged 50 and died at 56. My sister has polyps removed reguarly. I am 49 and had an early menopause. My blood tests are normal except for a high mean heamoglobin count? I had a sigmoid flex but it was clear. I have no idea what it could be but am worried it is an undetected cancer? Anyone have any thoughts on this? My GP does not seem concerned.

 

  • Honey, I had bloods taken a few times in the run up to February this year and not one of them indicated I might have cancer.  I was diagnosed and when I look over my blood test results online, there are no clear indicators.  I am shocked your GP has dismissed your concerns about bloody poos.That's one of the signs the NHS put up several months ago.  Get a second opinion to rule it out and explain what you have written here.  With your Dad dying of colon cancer, they should be taking your concerns seriously.

    xxx

  • Thank you for your response.What were you diagnosed with and how did you get the diagnosis please? How are you feeling now? Hope you are OK. I do not know who to ask to persevere with my concerns. Shall I go back to the GP again? What if they just say not to worry? 

     

    xxx

  • I was initially diagnosed with a grade 3 breast cancer tumour.  That's now been  upgraded to Stage 2 because it's in my lymph nodes next to the affected breast. I was diagnosed after a routine self-exam.  My GP's practice nurse examined the lump and I knew from her expression it was cancer, which was confirmed two weeks later.  My GP surgery allows patients to read their notes electronically, so I can see blood test results and compare them against standard norms.  No indications at all in my bloodwork that I had cancer, which you might have thought would show up.

    I would go back to the GP, discuss your worries - don't see the same one who dismissed you.  Explain what you have written here.  They might investigate further, they might talk through your anxieties about your situation, which might help immensley.  Either way, if you are really worried, your concerns need to be addressed.

    xx

  • Thank you for your reply. I really hope you get better and are receiving good care and treatment. At least you had it diagnosed fairly quickly and it sounds like you have a good GP practice. Great that you can read your notes electronically- what a good idea. I think the more info you have, the less anxious it is because you are more in control and can have a better understanding. A lot of GP pratices seem to be stopping all services that aren't connected to Covid-19 at the moment so it's not a good time to request investigations! Mine just seem to want you discharged/ awayfrom their practice ASAP unless you are practically dying in which case you'd just go to A and E anyway!. They have said I can't have a scan for example, but I think that  a scan would be very useful at the moment, even if it is to alleviate some of my worries. I don't really want to wait months until this covid-19 is over!

    I think I will call again next week like you said and see what they say. I guess sometimes it is how you talk to them as to how they respond!  These pains and bloating have got to be due to something!

  • How are you doing Aneko (and TUL24)? I know it can be hard to chase up or ask for a second opinion when we're not the experts, but you were not exactly doing it for fun/ to waste anyone's time. You have genuine concerns.

    I understand if you are not up for sharing. X

  • Hi Tul, I hope you don't mind me asking but what did you notice with your self-exam? That made you have a check? Was it completely obvious? I have had a few doctors *** my left breast recently as I have extreme pain with pressure and a random burning sensation here and there. I have large breasts and breastfeed my two year old 1-2 times a day. My breasts have always felt lumpy but there are a few bumps where the breast is sore but I can feel somewhat some lumpiness there in the other although feel slightly more prominent on the left. There is a squishy rigid mass that concerns me but when mentioning this to doctors they never seemed concerned / don't feel it during an examination as it is quite deep I guess especially with my boobs being 34 HH. I am only 25 but this pain is driving me crazy. I do have palpable lymph nodes in my armpit and a teeny one on the collarbone/neck but they are all moveable and have been scanned and considered okay. I just don't know whether The doctors are missing what I'm feeling or it's just completely normal - I hate examining my breasts because it's confusing and lumpy.

    I hope you don't mind me asking!

    becky x 

  • Hi Aneko,

    Did you get further tests done to see if you had cancer?

    I had a colonoscopy yesterday and unfortunately they found a malignant tumour.  I had the same symptoms as you lower abdominal pain, blood in stool and had to continuously go to the loo.  I'm worried i have secondary cancer in the liver but I spoke to the doctor this morning and she said my liver seemed fine from the blood tests.  I'm hoping that's a very good sign!

    Just waiting on dates for scans.

    Kirsty x

  • Hiya TUL24

    I know this post is from some time ago but I was wondering how you are geting on, hope you are OK and recovering.  I too have just had conformation I have cancer in my left breast and investigations into two lymph nodes on the same side that look malignant.  Sounds Iike I am in a very similar situation to where you were.  My blood work is all clear too which is astounding, you would thunk something would look a miss wouldn't you?  If you don't mind me asking what course of treatment did you have? I have to wait until the 12th to find out.  the waiting is awful :-( sending you big hugs xxx

  • This is exactly me, right now. Blood tests today again normal. Now a waiting game on CT and results of that and treatment plan. 

    You have my full understanding!!

  • Hi Julie,

    I am in the same position as you currently.

    i do hope you have had your scan and things can be dealt with.

    its 5am and I've been googling all sorts since 3.00am