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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Bowl cancer tests - tips on staying sane?

9 replies

AppelationStation · 26/02/2023 20:25

Maybe should have name changed but can't be arsed to work out how to make a new one. As you might expect from the title, there is mention of poo, so hit back if you're mega squeamish!

Tomorrow I'm going to the GP. I've had a weekend of bad abdo pain (lower left). Spoke to out of hours Saturday and went through symptoms. I've had iffy poos (tmi) on and off for months but could spot no real cause and put it down to one of those things. Sometimes it's pretty bad.

On Friday things changed. 'Pencil poo', really tender, bloated, knotting, blocked feeling that sometimes stops me in my tracks, as well as odd bouts of the runs. Constant heavy, dragging feeling. It's actually quite hard to move around. Hardly able to eat, trying to keep water intake up. There's some other stuff going on too but not looking for a diagnosis here (obvs) so won't gross you out / bore you.

Anyway, OoH said to make a GP appointment first thing Monday morning, and call them back if pain becomes unmanageable. He listed some tests that he said I should ask my Dr for, and they're all bowl cancer tests. Despite myself my mind is racing a bit. If I'm honest I've intended to bring this is with GP next time I see them for months,but it always goes out of my head when I'm there / I feel bad for just 'mentioning second illness and I've left it.

I'm just wondering if anyone has been to the GP about similar? What happened? What do you wish you'd asked them. And how did you stop yourself going mad in the meantime? AIBU to feel a bit worried?

OP posts:
AppelationStation · 26/02/2023 20:27

Bowl cancer. 🙄 Me and my potentially cancerous bowls! 😅 (dark humour welcome!).

OP posts:
AppelationStation · 26/02/2023 20:35

Ah, just realised this is the second bowel cancer thread on here tonight. Suspect it might be a quiet one...

OP posts:
AppelationStation · 26/02/2023 21:21

Bump

OP posts:
Greendoorsaremyfavourite · 26/02/2023 21:29

You're not being unreasonable to be worried. They might be symptoms of bowel cancer, but they're also certain to be symptoms of many other things...a lot less scary than cancer.
I've been through tests for gynae issues, the symptoms of which could have pointed to cervical/ovarian cancer but the tests all came back fine.

Just make the appointment with your gp. Make a list of your symptoms/timeline so you've got it all down and make sure they explain what the next steps are.

I spent many a day and night convincing myself of the worst outcome. It's torturous.

And remember, if you're referred on the 2 week pathway, that over 90% of those referrals show no cancer.

Most importantly....stay away from Google!

Madeintowerhamlets · 26/02/2023 21:30

Hello OP, not sure how helpful my response will be but thought it would be good to get your thread started. I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer two years ago. My main symptom was excruciating abdominal pain which came in waves. I never noticed any changes in my stools. I was diagnosed via colonoscopy & CT scan. First step via GP was a blood test then a FIT test (stool sample) & ultrasound. GP was very thorough but due to delays with Covid I ended up paying privately for a colonoscopy as I was in agony. I went to A&E twice with the pain. anyway fast forward to now & after a lot of treatment & surgery I am in remission. All I can say is that even if it is cancer it doesn’t mean that’s it. I really thought it was game over for me at stage 4 but treatment is amazing nowadays. And it might not even be cancer. My main advice for your sanity would be to avoid Google as it never helped me & just take it day by day. Also feel free to pm me if needed.

AppelationStation · 26/02/2023 21:34

@Madeintowerhamlets that's so kind of you and I'm really glad to hear you're doing so well. X

OP posts:
DorisFlies · 26/02/2023 21:41

I had a similar experience. Examination at the GP followed by colonoscopy on the two week cancer pathway. I was convinced it was cancer as symptoms so alarming but turned out to be IBS. That's no fun to manage but not cancer at least. I was impressed with my care and the examinations I had were done with sensitivity. Only hellish bit was moviprep before the colonoscopy . Hope you get an encouraging outcome.

Cupofteaaa5 · 26/02/2023 21:42

Even when you're absolutely convinced you've got something, there's always other outcomes. My grandma went into hospital this past Monday with heavy, dark rectal bleeding. She was pale and shaky from losing so much blood, and collapsed in the hospital. Everyone was convinced she had bowel cancer. She doesn't.

I also recently went to the GP with classic ovarian cancer symptoms, had a scan and they found an unidentified mass on my ovary. I was referred under the 2 week wait for urgent suspected cancer. I was beside myself with worry, but it turns out I don't have cancer! I have a massive, but benign, ovarian cyst.

Try not to worry. I know it's easier said than done. I struggled when I was waiting for results, but I tried to keep myself busy and remember that the most likely outcome is that it's not cancer.

3kidsaremorethanenough · 27/03/2023 16:29

Hi Applestation I'm going through something similar at the moment, waiting for my appointment for colonoscopy. Was searching for threads similar and yours came up. How are you now?? Did you get any answers since you posted this thread? Hope all is well.

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