Dads positive colonoscopy

[Kirbykanga]

My dad had blood in stools for a year (bowel screening also showed blood). GP kept saying it was haemorrhoid's.
he finally had a colonoscopy last week and they found what they are certain is a malignant tumour that they’ve taken a sample to biopsy. He’s awaiting a CT/MRI.
Has anyone been through this? Do we need to prepare for the worst?

I’m praying he gets a good outcome as many do.

What a shame his GP kept fobbing him off - Please consider a complaint when you feel
able.

I’m in the same situation with my dad. Not nice at all. From what I’ve understood so far bowel cancer can be quite slow growing and very treatable.

My Grandad had a large tumour and part of his bowel removed in 2020. He didn’t need any further treatment apart from surgery and has been fine ever since.

Hopefully your dad will have a plan of action soon. You’re not alone. Taking it step by step is all you can do

Thanks for the replies. I think I’m just thinking the worst.
the wait for the next scans is going to feel like forever.
I really hope it hasn’t spread and surgery does the trick but it’s the unknown that’s worrying.
And yes, I will make sure a complaint goes into the GP.

Bowel cancer is one of the more treatable cancers as long as it is found early enough. I was bleeding for 6 months or so before I was diagnosed but almost 20 years later I’m doing well. So it doesn’t mean the worst at all.

Unfortunately until you have the CT and PET scans you won’t know where things stand but at this stage, there is room for positive thinking.

Sending you warm wishes.

I've been through this myself a couple of years ago. It's a very frightening time for you now and it's almost the worst time because you don't know how bad the situation is and you're probably imagining the worst. At this stage, you don't know for sure that it is cancer.
Once the results of your dad's scans and biopsy are available, the multi disciplinary team will meet to discuss a course of action. Your dad will be given an appointment to be given the results and to hear what his treatment plan is.
I hope you get the results soon and that the news is good for your dad. You have to try and hold it together until he gets his results - easier said than done! Try not to google too much either until you know the real situation - it can all end up too overwhelming and frightening otherwise.

My mil had bowel cancer about 5 years ago. She had surgery and no further treatment. She stayed in for 2 nights but was honestly back to normal as soon as she came home.

She was operated on by a colorectal surgeon who happens to be a friend of ours. This was a complete coincidence, he’s a consultant at the hospital she was booked into. Anyway, he’s been reassuring about outcomes for older people, and the fact bowel cancers are generally less aggressive than in the young.

It’s natural and normal to be worried especially in this waiting period. Make sure you are looking after yourself.

Something my dad’s surgeon said which I found reassuring was your surgery feels like a big day for you and your family but it’s a normal day at work for us.

Thank you for this. I was just thinking that a year is so long and where else has it spread to in that time? But maybe if it’s slow growing, it may not be as awful as I’m thinking.

So I was bleeding for 6 months but had other symptoms for longer - I just didn’t know they were symptoms. It had spread to my lymph nodes but surgery and chemotherapy was enough. So whilst a year is a long time, bowel cancer is a slow growing cancer.

It’s really tough right now whilst you have no idea what it all means, but you will have answers soon.