Worried about bowel cancer, handhold please

[Quiteworriedtoday]

I’m 44 and started having bowel symptoms a couple of years ago, mostly just some urgency that I chalked up to pelvic floor issues after pregnancy. But round December of last year. I started having some blood when wiping and more frequent thin stools. I thought it was related to a long course of antibiotics for a skin infection (GP did too) so waited a bit to have further testing. I also trialled Sertraline at that time and stopped due to side effects (headache), GP thought that might be related too. In February of this year I continued to have thin bowel movements, even waking me from sleep in the morning. GP did a faecal blood test and calprotecton, both negative. He said to keep an eye on it. Now we’re three months later and I’m still having multiple thin poos per day along with cramps and bloating. Als cfeels like I have to wee a lot. He’s referred me for colonoscopy, said I should be seen within one week. I have young DC (3 and 6) and I’m just terrified. Has anyone been through this? Please share any positive or negative stories, I’m so frightened right now.

Hi, had similar late 2024 and early 2025. Cramps, bloating, loads of to-the-loo activity and generally feeling rubbish and uncomfortable. Totally understand the fear. I got a call from GP practice Christmas Eve - I needed another test - and it was horrible, so worrying. Turned out to be a combo of hormones (another menopause treat) and IBS. Over time has settled with the occasional flare up. Hope it’s similar outcome for you. Try not to overthink. Although I feel such a fraud giving that advice as I would have struggled to take my own advice. Hugs.

Thank you, it helps to hear another story.

I have ulcerative colitis and get those symptoms. Hope you get your appointment soon.

I had very similar, I often had to go again, 5 mins after I'd been. Awful stomach cramps and a lot of blood. I had a colonoscopy and the only thing found were big internal piles (I didn't know I had them as they didn't protrude). My symptoms were put down to IBS, which still flares up sometimes. I was early 40s and very worried, like you. It's no use saying don't worry, I know just how you feel, but you will soon know what's wrong and hopefully cancer will be ruled out.

This also happened to me, same
symptoms including bleeding. Diagnosed IBS after stool and blood tests, it’s heavily linked to my menstrual cycle and stress and now normally just flares every couple of months for a few days. Cutting dairy also helped.

I also had thin stool - it’s a sign of the colon squeezing tightly apparently.

I have every red flag symptom of bowel cancer but a colonoscopy showed nothing, as did a small bowel ultrasound. It comes and goes and I think it's to do with hormones and the odd trigger food with me. I thought I'd got it sussed and then it flared again (now wondering if it's strawberries, or blueberries, or both!)

Only 9% of people who are referred for scopes have cancer, and a lot of those will be early stage and easily treatable. It will probably be ok.

And don’t forget this will also include the majority of people that have positive stool tests.

Thank you all, it helps to know these symptoms can occur without a cancer diagnosis. I do hope I can book the colonoscopy soon. I have a Mirena coil so I never have periods but I wonder about perimenopause playing a role in all of this.

Menopause altered my bowel habits. I also wonder if I have IBS with various symptoms. I’ve had to stop taking some vitamins as I don’t think they were helping either.

I know it’s easy to say don’t worry, but as many PP have said, it can be all sorts of things

Could it be Crohns, op? Sounds very similar to it, down to the blood and thin stools.

My stools were so odd and alarming I was also very worried and believed it had to be something for them to be so abnormal, but a lot of the time they never really do get down to the bottom of it. Best of luck with your appt.

I wonder if this may also reassure you @Quiteworriedtoday