Suspected bowel cancer - what can we expect?

[whatsausername]

Hi all. My mum has had diarrhoea since the beginning of February - no matter what she eats. Over the counter medicines doing nothing. She finally saw a GP last Friday and Monday and on both accounts they took her blood and did a rectal exam.

the GP quite confidently said he thinks it’s bowel cancer due to high markers in her blood however she needs to go to hospital to find out if it’s rectal or colon (this really is all new to me, and to us as a family)

I guess I’m just looking for any advice / stories / general chat. Maybe even just words of comfort? I feel so lost and my poor mum is so scared.

for reference, she’s 61, and never been unwell before. Her own dad died of bowel cancer when he was 68 but that was in 1995

Hi, am sorry to hear your mom is unwell (whether cancer or not). I guess she's waiting for a colonoscopy appointment - do you have any idea of how long the wait for that may be?
Has she/does she want to make contact with any national support groups via charities or does she prefer to talk to loved ones?

My sister died from bowel cancer so whilst my experience isn't the best in terms of outcomes, I am a firm believer in the mantra that stats around cancer are just that - population level stats and an individual's experience will be different. I know when my sister was ill, we were assessed for familial likelihood - did this happen with her Dad do you know - I suspect the capacity for family analysis was very different in 1995 compared to today. And whilst not wanting to remove attention from your mom - if there is a two generation experience of bowel cancer, you should speak to your own GP about early testing.

Hopefully, it could be something not as serious, but I completely get the headspin you'll be feeling

sending love to you and your mom

I've had bowel cancer and survived.
Early diagnosis is important. I had problems in December '22 - treatment started in January '23 - finished in December 24 - I'm now in remission.
That your mothers' problems started in February and she saw her doctor recently is encouraging. Treatments have improved a great deal since 1995.
I'm not very good at cosy words and sentences but I really I hope this is of some comfort to you - best wishes.

Sorry to hear this. I presume the next step will be a colonoscopy. My dh was given his diagnosis at the colonoscopy, the tumour was obvious. Within 3 working days he had CT and MRI scans, and then another week later was told the scans showed that there was no apparent spread. Surgery was a few weeks later, delayed by our summer holiday. His was stage 2 and no chemo required, although due to the position of the tumour and some large polyps he had his rectum removed as well as part of the bowel and has a permanent colostomy. Despite this he feels very fortunate.

Best wishes.

My Nan also got bowel cancer in 1992 at 66 and had a stoma added and radiotherapy. It was caught earlier and removed surgically. She travelled to Australia with it until she was in her 80s. Managed her care of it as well for years. Died at 98

I'm sorry to hear about your mum.

I had bowel cancer last year - no symptoms, the possibility was flagged up as the result of a routine screening kit (If you get one - do it!) and a tumour found during a colonoscopy. I had surgery to remove the part of the bowel with the tumour and the two ends rejoined successfully and am now cancer free, although I'll have frequent follow ups (blood tests and annual colonoscopies) for five years. In some instances (e.g if the tumour is in the rectum) then I think they may give you a course of chemotherapy or radiotherapy before, instead of or after surgery in order to shrink the tumour

My 79 yo DF was diagnosed with colon cancer last year. He was in very good health apart from complaining of tiredness. The blood test results showed the markers for bowel cancer and he was referred for a colonoscopy within 2 weeks.

He was told that he definitely had colon cancer during the colonoscopy and they took biopsy at the same time.

The next step was to see the consultant who was accompanied by a MacMillan nurse. They were both brilliant with my dad and explained everything to him clearly, along with all the risks during and after surgery.

My dad consented to surgery and had to wait about 4 weeks for a date.

The surgery went very well, he made a good recovery and was discharged after 4 nights.

To be entirely honest, seeing him now, you wouldn’t know what he’d been through.

He followed every single instruction to the letter, especially the nutrition and exercise programs that he was given. He now goes to the local gym 2 or 3 times a week as well as a daily walk.

He was also given a 5 year follow up plan on discharge which includes regular blood tests.

It was understandably a very worrying time for him and we supported him as much as possible. I went to every single appointment with him, just so he had an extra set of ears (he’s quite deaf) and a shoulder to lean on.

My 70 year old F friend also recovered well from colon cancer and although she was also fitted with a stoma during her surgery, she has just finished the 5 year plan and been given the all clear.

My grandmother had bowel cancer when she was about the same age. She had a stoma. If it bothered her, she never let on. She lived to be 90.

Just a wee update on this, months later. She had a colonoscopy which revealed she has a twist in her bowel. She then had a CT Colonography and a chest MRI. These scans revealed a mass in her stomach, another mass on her pancreas and 2 masses on her lung. Next step is biopsies. She’s getting a temporary stoma bag as her daily symptoms are so debilitating that her weight loss is rapid, her energy levels low and quality of life just rubbish in general. Nobody has actually confirmed the dreaded C word yet.

That sounds really tough for you both.
Amazed/horrified things are taking that long.

Does she have the biopsies scheduled in yet?

Another wee update for anyone interested. She got ileostomy surgery 10 days ago to get a break from the diarrhoea. They did the biopsies at the same time. Primary pancreatic cancer and secondary bowel cancer. Unfortunately it’s spread, well, everywhere basically. Her tumours are now corroding into her stomach. She has days left. I write this from her bedside in hospital.

I will miss my Mum so, so much.

I’m so sorry, how awful for you all. The time you have left will be so precious x

Oh my goodness. I am so so sorry to read this. It feels like a punch in the stomach just to read that, so can't even begin to imagine what you and your lovely mum are going through. I'm glad you're there with her x

I’ve just seen your updates @whatsausername
I’m so very sorry for you and your Mum.
My Dad died of cancer, so I know what it’s like to sit with a loved one at their hospital bedside.
Thinking of you both. ❤️

I’m so sorry to read this. Tell her everything you’ve always wanted to say and treasure every minute you have together. Sending a hug. x