My symptoms were different - rectal bleeding, some weight loss, occasional loose stools (maybe once a week) and trapped wind. Like you, I went to the doctor just because they say all bleeding should be checked out. I could feel something near where the bleeding seemed to be coming from so was sure the doctor would take a look and say, "oh, there's a little cut there" or "oh, there's an external hemorrhoid there. Nothing to worry about." Instead she said she couldn't find a cause and after I told her my grandfather might have had bowel cancer, she referred me for further investigation.

I am a few years younger than you - was 40 then and am 41 now - and the specialist said at my age, cancer was the last of the possibilities he'd be considering and that I'd have to be the unluckiest person in the world for it to turn out to be that, but that a colonoscopy was the only way to be certain. So he did the colonoscopy and all he found was hemorrhoids.

Many things can cause a lot of these symptoms and he said that at our age, IBD (which has a lot of similar symptoms is more likely than cancer). They have to check for it if it is any kind of possibility. Doesn't mean it's likely. I think about 90% of people who get urgent two-week referrals turn out not to have cancer.

Thank you so much for that , it's given me a bit more positivity. 
Glad yours was ok

Hi how are you getting on? Have you had your appointment yet? Hope you are well x

Thanks for the message , my colonoscopy is tomorrow. Will update when I know more. Thank you x

Good luck for today!

I had a colonoscopy for changed bowel habit and pain on left side of my abdomen, it came back with ovarian cysts left was over-5 cm l had them removed 5 weeks ago there was also extensive adhesions that took over 4 hours to remove. I was fortunate to have a oncology surgeon who later said most surgeons would have bailed out and left them stuck down. Even though it's become major surgery with large wounds lm very pleased  to have had the results that the biopsies were benign.  As ovarian cysts can be precancerous it was a bit worrying l hope you get similar results from your colonoscopy. 
 

susie

Good luck for today, keep us informed! Xx

Thank you for asking.

Colonoscopy went well , wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. They have taken biopsies just to rule anything out but they don't think there is anything sinister going on , the relief is enormous. 
Thank you for thinking of me and I hope my post gives reassurance to someone with similar symptoms. 
x