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Cancer

Find advice & support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer

Original poster

My dad has just had a colonoscopy and it looks like he has bowel cancer

332 replies

pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 16:00

He has had symptoms for a while (mucus and rectal bleeding) but has put off getting checked out until recently. His FIT test was very high so he was fact tracked for a colonoscopy which he had today. Just phoned my mum and it looks like they have found a large growth which looks to be cancer. My dad is 83 and I adore him so I am so upset. 😢

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 16:16

I am terrified he has left it too long

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 16:37

I just feel numb at the moment and can’t cry

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LIZS · 13/07/2025 17:27

DM had bc twice age late 70s and is still going at 91. There is hope even if the diagnosis seems bleak. Fingers crossed for you.

BSky4 · 13/07/2025 17:33

My mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 83. She had surgery with ‘curative intent’. She was given the all clear last year at 88 years.

Don’t google. Speak to your dad’s team and get the facts. This is hard knowing it is something but you don’t have all the information. Thinking of you.

P00hsticks · 13/07/2025 19:39

I've had bowel cancer, found last year after a routine FIT test. Had surgery to remove the part of the bowel with the tumour in it and now have no evidence of disease. I'll continue to be monitored for five years but bowel cancer is generally slow growing and eminently treatable.

As others have said, don't google, but if you need further accurate info or meet others online who have been in a similar position have a look at the Macmillan website.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 20:06

Thank you all so much. It was a bit of a shock even though deep down I feared the worse.
I have been to see my dad and he seems in good spirits considering. I will try to stay away from Google for now

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BCBird · 13/07/2025 20:17

Thinking of u all op. My friend's mom had this. Was too ill to attend daughter's wedding. Recovered and still around 15 years later

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 20:35

That’s really good to hear. 🙂
My dad is a healthy 83 year old in general. His blood pressure and heart rate were spot on today and he is showing no signs of anemia, which I hope will go in his favour should he need surgery.

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Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 21:46

I believe they have taken 3 biopsies. They couldn’t get right up into his bowel as his prep hadn’t cleared him out enough which apparently sometimes happens. I think they are planning another colonoscopy and scans

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BSky4 · 13/07/2025 21:55

It’s great his blood pressure & iron levels are good- that’s really positive.

Hopefully they can sort the further tests and soon give you the results and what’s next.

In my experience his generation are very resilient so him being in good spirits will stand him in good stead.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 13/07/2025 22:16

He is most upset that he can’t book a cruise, bless him!

I hope he will be ok. It’s all been a bit of a shock

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BSky4 · 14/07/2025 07:01

Bless him - hopefully a cruise is something he can look forward to in a few months.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 14/07/2025 07:16

P00hsticks · 13/07/2025 19:39

I've had bowel cancer, found last year after a routine FIT test. Had surgery to remove the part of the bowel with the tumour in it and now have no evidence of disease. I'll continue to be monitored for five years but bowel cancer is generally slow growing and eminently treatable.

As others have said, don't google, but if you need further accurate info or meet others online who have been in a similar position have a look at the Macmillan website.

That’s great news that you are now cancer free. 🙂

I am worried that my dad ignored his bowel symptoms for too long so it is reassuring to hear that bowel cancer tends to be slower growing. He still looks well and the consultant said he wouldn’t have any reservations in offering surgery if needed, whereas with some 83 year olds he wouldn’t consider it.

I haven’t had much sleep as it all keeps going round in my head.

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ShrubRose · 14/07/2025 15:14

My 84 year-old neighbour had blood tests for frozen shoulder, which can sometimes be a precursor to cancer, apparently. Sure enough, markers were abnormal and a PET scan showed bowel cancer.
He had the surgery last week. Cancer was entirely removed, they said, and he is tired but recovering.
Just passing this on, OP, along with wishes for a good outcome for your dad.
x

EverardDeTroyes · 14/07/2025 15:18

My FIL was diagnosed with bowel cancer 3 years ago in his late 80s. Still alive at 91 after surgery to remove part of his bowel. He has other health issues but they are not related to his cancer which has taught me that even an elderly person with health issues can survive bowel cancer. All the best to your dad.

JDM625 · 14/07/2025 15:22

I'm sorry to hear this OP. It must be such a shock. I'm glad you dad is in good spirits.

My nan was diagnosed in her mid 80's. They were able to remove her cancer and gave her a temporary ostomy bag. After 6mths, they reversed this and she had regular colonoscopies since.

She lived to be 102 and didn't die from cancer x

Nannyfannybanny · 14/07/2025 15:28

Bless him! My DH uncle had bowel cancer in his 80s,lived well into his 90s.. even travelling quite a few hundred miles to attend our wedding.. I've had 3 frozen shoulders,was nursing over 40 years, never heard of blood tests for them,or any kind of connection with bowel cancer. It is my family history boogie man, just had a negative fiit test. I hope this encourages people to take notice of symptoms. It's reckoned that younger people now, some in their 20s are getting bowel cancer because of UHP food. I wish your dad well.

ShrubRose · 14/07/2025 15:41

@Nannyfannybanny I've had 3 frozen shoulders, was nursing over 40 years, never heard of blood tests for them,or any kind of connection with bowel cancer.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5520209/

Was new to me as well. In fact, I was a bit sceptical about the story, so Iooked it up. My neighbour was lucky to have had a careful doctor.

Frozen shoulder and risk of cancer: a population-based cohort study - PMC

Frozen shoulder might be a complication or a presenting symptom of cancer. We examined the risk of a cancer diagnosis after an incident diagnosis of frozen shoulder. We used prospectively collected data from Danish registries to identify patients ...

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5520209/

Nannyfannybanny · 14/07/2025 17:04

Shrubrose, I haven't heard of this particular medical "journal",pubmed,so I'm not going to put much score on their findings..plus bear in mind that one in 2 people get cancer in their lifetime. I spent my last 20 years at work on a stroke unit...a lot of frozen shoulders. I know it's a proven fact that diabetics are more prone to it them.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 14/07/2025 17:08

Thank you for all your messages - they are helping me feel a little better.

Today I have felt really wobbly all day at work and just wanted to go somewhere and cry. I managed to hold it in until I got home.
It didn’t help that one of my colleagues told me a story of her friend who thought she had piles and only survived 7 months after her bowel cancer diagnosis. 🙁
I am worried that my dad has ignored symptoms for too long. I am definitely more emotional today than yesterday, but the tiredness doesn’t help.

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ShrubRose · 14/07/2025 17:17

@Nannyfannybanny I haven't heard of this particular medical "journal", pubmed,so I'm not going to put much score on their findings.

The actual article is from the British Journal of Cancer. As a nurse I would have thought you had heard of it but apparently not.

Nannyfannybanny · 14/07/2025 18:13

I did read the article,it said Danish studies,"might be a link" , and no mention of bowel cancer. I did say "was nursing" and last ward..we didn't read the same publications as the drs did, I retired 10 years ago.

anyzee · 14/07/2025 18:34

Ah, please don't start squabbling about who knows what and frozen bloody shoulders!

This thread has shown that many get the bc diagnosis when elderly but have survived it with good treatment, where that option is available to them.

Original poster
pinkchampagne1 · 15/07/2025 07:10

The bowel cancer survival stories are giving me hope so thank you all for sharing.

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BSky4 · 15/07/2025 07:22

It’s really natural that you’ll feel wobbly and emotional. Be kind to yourself.