Hi Charl

The good news is you're not anaemic, speaking from experience with my sister, mum and friend with bowel cancer symptoms were not typical of those on the tick list.

All three had anaemia and were treated with iron tablets.

My mother had bouts of diarrhoea, which started after a course of antibiotics, doctor dismissed her concerns and so did A&E but because the same happened to my sister she demanded a colonoscopy, three weeks later she stared at her stage 2 tumour blockage, Christmas 2019 she elected to have open surgery, she's 84 and still fighting fit with no evidence of disease.

My sister coughed a lot, very low in iron and she was very fatigued and always constipated. She also had stomach cramps an jour after food.

After going back and forth to Dr's a locum ordered her to go to A&E within 3 days she was diagnosed with stage 2 T4 bowel cancer with lymph node involvement followed by a year of treatment.

I'm pleased to say she's had the all clear.

Now my husband had all symptoms, blood all over the toilet seat, felt he was sat on a golf ball, unlike my sister and mum he was immediately sent for colonoscopy on 2 week pathway- it was just piles!!!

But he did have dull ache like you mentioned on right of his stomach so immediately sent for abdominal ultrasound and diagnosed with a fatty liver, but nothing sinister at all.

The gastroenterology consultants are super, they know what it will be and they will be very thorough, no messing about.

I'm having to wait for a breast biopsy so feel your pain of waiting in limbo.

Take care and take one day at a time, let us know how it goes xxxx

Thank you so much for replying to my post and putting my mind at ease. I'm very sorry to hear that your mum and sister were diagnosed with colon/bowel cancer it's very very scary. 
my dad was also diagnosed with the same cancer and had no symptoms and was actually at stage 3/4 when it was found and subsequently operated on but he is now in remission and awaiting on a stoma reversal. 
I'm so pleased that your husband turned out to be just fine rectal bleeding is very scary indeed and mostly harmless. tomorrow I go to my gp and will find out my fit test results so I'm hoping they come back okay. 
 

when will you find out the results of your breast biopsy? My mum had a breast cancer scare like yours and it was absolutely fine in the end, and just a cyst but it was picked up on a mammogram so needed to be investigated I think we tend to worry more about other people rather than ourselves in these situations and it's hard to see a family member go through a cancer scare, so sending love to yourself and your husband as I'm sure he's very worried too xx

Hi Charlottechloe

Thanks for your kind message. How did it go with the GP with your results?

I've got my biopsy on Monday, having waves of emotions I'm just praying it's nothing No lump but went for swollen armpit and tender lymph nodes but after the mammogram they called me in for another one and ultrasound as they found something but wouldn't say, had to wait 10 days for biopsy so I really hope it's not classed as sinister, I need a break from Cancer!

I thought I'd mention this, because of your family history  your GP can refer you to genetics, if they don't refer you, maybe ask the gastroenterology consultant, I'm glad I did as I now have a colonoscopy every five years  I view it like an insurance for my health and once my children reach 30 they will have them too. We thought we had Lynch Syndrome but it just seems we have lots of slow growing colon polyps which after 10 years can turn into cancer.

I hope you're okay and get your colonoscopy procedure done soon, I stayed alert for mine and didn't find it too bad, I found drinking the Movi Prep worse, please let me know how it all goes. Take care xxx

My gp has finally refered me for an urgent colonoscopy and honestly it's left me even more terrified as I've had ongoing issues for well over 18 months. I also have a consultation with a private specialist tomorrow so I'm hoping that brings some reassurance. 
sadly the stool tests I did were only the calprotecin tests so unfortunately didn't provide any answers but I am scheduled to do a fit test before my colonoscopy Charl x

I.think.each.case.is.different. Ive.had symptoms for.5 Years and many tests . Ive had 2 virtual ct scans but not full colon scope. Im borderline anemic too. I paid for private consultant but he.didnt think colonoscopy was justified for me. Im disappointed as i expected more NHS have brushed me off but i have all alarm symptoms. My fit was negative then qfit just 3,  so nhs wont refer me. Calprotectin was just 20. Im basically at a brick wall.

im amazed you got the colonoscopy referaL. My GP refered me but colonoscopy was rejected due to normal qfit. I just got CT scan, improvised due to pandemic.

I am sorry your are experiencing these symptoms but you are not alone in your worry.

I also am waiting for a colonoscopy and results from a FIT sample and whilst not as young as you still young ish (37) with two young children at home and I am crippled with worry.

If you ever need to talk I am always at the end of a message and I am sending lots of positive vibes to you xx

Hi

Sorry you are going through all this worry.

I've had bowel cancer. I also was anaemic an on iron tablets.

No weight loss, bloating though.

You have age on your side although not impossible but rare.

You can't do anymore than you are doing, the colonoscopy will find out the cause and you usually get the results on the day.

Good luck, keep us updated.

Thank you I have a colonoscopy in 7 days time so no time to worry now. Glad I've finally gotten the appointment and will know either way. 
how are you doing since your diagnosis? X

Amazing so pleased you have it booked now and are feeling more positive regarding the outlook.

I'm having to wait a little longer... 4 weeks from seeing the dr to my appt date but I spoke to a private clinic and they can't get me in any sooner so I will have to wait but feel like 4 weeks isn't too bad (providing it isn't cancelled)

I wish you all the positive vibes and happiest of results for you and your family

Xxx