Fuck - this means they suspect cancer doesn't it?

[vipersnest1]

I went for an appointment at 'the bum clinic' on Tuesday. I was told I need further tests and they would take weeks.
I've had a call today to say I've been referred for an urgent flexible sigmoidoscopy and have an appointment on Monday.
I know it could just be to rule it out, but it's the 'urgent' part of it that has thrown me.

Oh, and good luck with your appointment.

@TokyoTen, the nurse who called said it was an urgent referral.
@ISpyNoPlumPie, I will definitely be asking questions, as I have no clue what triggered the urgency.
Again, thank you for the lovely replies.
for those people who had difficult outcomes.

Best of luck OP - my DH had a colonoscopy at the weekend for poo in his blood. He had a polyp removed and has an infection so they did biopsies. It was worrying but hopefully ok.
Ive had precancerous cells removed from the vagina and cervix. I was scared shitless but the op worked.
Have also had a colonoscopy- well an attempt because I was too sore so they stopped.
It’s rarely cancer and could be piles, polyps, infection.
Its easy to say try not to worry so I usually say worrying helps no-one. Thinking of you

On the upside, I put in a request for some anti-anxiety medication earlier and one of the really good GPs at my practice phoned me and sorted it out.

My GP surgery has a policy of 2-3 weeks from appointment with them complaining of anything that could be bowel cancer to colonoscopy or similar in hospital. It seems to be the only referral system that actually works quickly and is always within that timeframe. My colonoscopy was 9 days after me first seeing a GP. I was worried like you that it must be cancer because it was so fast but it wasn’t, it was just the way that it worked.

I've calmed down a bit now.
Just need to keep my mind occupied for the next few days. 📺, 📚and putting henna on my hands will help.
I've also survived calling DM and not telling her. She's not very well and I have a cousin who has terminal bowel cancer, so I don't want to worry her.

@Electriq, I've had a look at the colorectal pathway and it's reassuring that if it is cancer, it will be dealt with promptly, so thank you for suggesting it.
I'm still reading all posts and really appreciate them.

It's to rule out cancer not because they necessarily expect it. It's much more likely to be something else. I went through this recently with an ovarian cyst and got myself in a real state. The good thing is you get seen fast and get results in a decent time frame.

I'm not thrilled that I've just looked at the hospital website and it mentioned the possibility of having sedation.
I have a condition that makes me more sensitive to pain, so it would have been good to be told it was available.
But, I've no-one to drive me to and fro so I guess it's not an option for me...

@vipersnest1

Why did you have to go in the first instance?
What were your symptoms?

@IVFPrayingForBioChild, given that I've already said what kind of procedure I'm having, do you not think your question is quite intrusive?
If you're concerned you may have similar symptoms, fair enough. Otherwise I won't be answering unless you also are happy to post about your bowel movements?

I was going to compare and share with my experience but I won't bother now.

I was finally put on the two week pathway after months of issues and it was ulcerative colitis. Just view it as a way of getting the test done sooner.

i have just had the urgent referral which led to a biopsy and I have just been told it’s all fine.
It is so stressful but great they checking things so quickly so good luck and hopefully it will be fine. It’s great they check everything so as to rule out the serious things.

@IVFPrayingForBioChild, 'You're a very rude person.
It's an anonymous forum no one knows you.'
The mentioning anonymity here is true, but it's also true that you have asked a question that is very intrusive - and I didn't bother to name change as I don't believe I have made other posts related to this under this username.
Do you really expect me to post very personal details here so that your curiosity is satisfied? No-one has asked me that question except you. Maybe you ought to consider whether that's rude - I'd suggest it is.
Yes, I've had a finger up my arse, plus a small camera. That's more than I've ever had in over 50 years. Does that help to focus your brain on what I'm going through? And if you've had a similar experience why not say that? I'm very bemused, and frankly, pissed off by your comment.
I'm having a far more intrusive procedure on Monday. That's enough for me to deal with, plus the worry of dealing with this and other health problems I have going in at the moment.
Maybe you could have considered that before you posted.

My hospital only offer sedation for full colonoscopies although I do know of people who have had sedation for a sigmoidoscopy.

I've had four sigmoidoscopes and did the first 3 with no pain relief at all. My most recent one I took the offer of gas & air which helped.

If you will be anxious about the procedure though it might be worth wracking your brains and thinking if there's someone who could come and meet you and drive you home afterwards.

Regarding IVFPrayingForBioChild 's post, try not to take it personally OP.

People with bowel conditions become accustomed to talking about bowel movements, having accidents, growths, piles etc. and sometimes people who have been living with that for a while forget that the general population really do not talk about this stuff! We have to become immune to talking/thinking about our 'embarrassing' symptoms because it has become part of our daily life and every time we have a medical appointment we are quizzed on our poo status!

I wouldn’t either if I were you, I agree on the rudeness.

@IVFPrayingForBioChild and @Katya213, if you think I need to be reported, it's this way:
[email protected]
Thank you for your support, @INeedNewShoes. You're absolutely right. I'm well past the point of being shy when it comes to gynaecological procedures (I've had multiple prolapses), but this is a step further. I already knew I'd end up leaving my dignity at the door, but didn't expect this.

Something like 95% of people checked for cancer : don't have cancer.

Another who was going to post to reassure but now wont bother.

I am 23 and I have lots of tummy pains. Do you get this? Shall I ask doctors to check me too? I have had blood tests and stool and urine test which all come back ok.

Please be nice to OP, its a scary time for them. Just try to be understanding when people aren't feeling 100% them self. Sending thoughts to you

@lljkk, I know the statistics are vastly in my favour, but I don't have a good experience with statistics - one of my dc has a severe disability that they inherited from me and XH.
@browniesandcakes, no, pain isn't one of my symptoms.
@PyongyangKipperbang, please see my post of 5 mins ago. Report me if you want, but don't waste my time and that if other members on reading your deliberately goady posts.