Lumps and bowel cancer?

[PolkaDotsandPumpkin]

Even though I know that there is nothing to do but wait for test results, I still want to ask if anyone has any thoughts/advice/reassurance about abdominal lumps.
My mother has been scheduled for a fairly urgent colonoscopy after a specialist palpated some lumps in the region of about her large intestine. She has had a few episodes of faecal incontinence (not sure over how long).
Can it be anything other than cancer?

It's hard to say -sorry. Usually colon cancer is too far 'down' to be felt which is why they do investigations like colonoscopies. The large intestine is very very long so it's hard to see how feeling around could show anything. There are other reasons for incontinence- diverticulitis for example when someone is very constipated can result in leakage of poo, so can IBS. There is also the possibility of something like ovarian or uterine cancer which could result in secondary tumours....

Sorry can't be more reassuring but colon cancer usually has lots of symptoms over a number of years- bleeding, weight loss, odd bowel behaviour, - has she had any of these?

Not any significant weight loss, but definitely odd bowel behavior. It's hard for me to say as she doesn't always tell me when things are wrong (long story).

I just can't help thinking that if it's bad enough to feel through palpation, it's going to be bad....

DM had a malignant lump the size of a grapefruit removed 18 months ago, along with polyps removed at the colonoscopy stage. Although it has recurred, requiring more drastic surgery recently, she is still here and active. Fingers crossed it isn't as bad as you fear.