Could this NOT be bowel cancer?

[babayagga]

There’s been blood in my stool for the past few weeks, and for the past week I have also been in constant pain in my lower abdomen, which only gets better at night. I’ve lost my appetite and think I’ve lost weight. I’m more tired than usual, still feeling shattered after 9 hours of sleep. Waiting for GP test results and have been referred to gastro.

My question is, is there anyone out there who’s had all these symptoms and it turned out NOT to be bowel cancer (or another kind of cancer)? I have a 1yo DC.

Also grateful for replies if you were diagnosed with bowel cancer and have a young child. How are you coping?

Thanks

Define blood. Colour? Is it mixed in with the stool? What colour is the toilet bowl when done?

Could it be ulcerative colitis?

It could be another bowel condition as said above. A lot of referrals turn out to not be cancer. Good you are getting seen. If it is cancer the success rates for treatment are very good. I was diagnosed last year at 39. I have 6 year old twins. Chemo and surgery and all good so far, although still having regular monitoring. Feel free to come over to the cancer support thread (it is for people waiting for test results too). Have they said how long referral will take?

Thanks for your replies. Blood is red and in the stool- not visible immediately, but separates in the water. Toilet bowl water is therefore the usual colour until the blood seeps out of the stool.

Bright red? If so, highly unlikely to be cancer. You do need Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease ruling out. You might want to try buscopan or mebeverine to stop the spasms. Could very easily be a touch of IBS, but I'm thinking haemorrhoids. Do your stools change colour, and/or vary in appearance (liquid to solid)?

If you have diarrhoea and fresh blood then you could have a stomach ulcer, do you take any NSAIDs - Ibuprofen, Naproxen regularly?

Either way I see endoscopy in your future!

I have ulcerative colitis & this was one of my symptoms.

Another Ulcerative colitis sufferer here.

Also see Crohns disease and Diverticulitis.

No diarrhoea, but I am going more frequently.

tayto - I’m embarrassed to bother people with a confirmed cancer diagnosis about this. Have read some of that thread and you’ve got some real heroes there.

Baba yes they are a great group and were very supportive when I got my diagnosis. Anyway fingers crossed yours is something else. Good luck with the tests.

I have UC and you are describing my symptoms. Especially the tiredness. I also ache, like flu and have a weird furry tongue.

Just wanted to say, radio 5 live had a phone in with Nicky Campbell on Thursday morning which you might be able to listen to on iplayer. Loads of people saying they had similar symptoms to you and they had UC or Crohns. My mum had bowel cancer and she had no symptoms until it spread to her liver. It’s obviously not impossible but given your age (assume you’re relatively young if you have a one year old) it’s unlikely to be bowel cancer. Fingers crossed!

I had those symptoms and went for a colonoscopy and various other tests and it turned out to be just bad IBS (I say “just” but IBS can be hell). Bowel cancer is fairly rare in women under a certain age (think it’s 60 something) so try not to panic yet and hopefully it’s nothing too sinister and you can get treated for it

Thanks everyone for your kind words (what would we do without mumsnet? )

melted - I’m 33. Will definitely look up that BBC programme.

Will probably not know for weeks- the gastro unit here is pretty busy, I’ve been told- but it’s nice to be able to talk to people on here instead of scaring the s* out of my family.

Will people please stop this nonsense on here about the colour of the blood. It means nothing. You cannot tell whether or not there is a malignancy from the colour of the blood and that this indicates the source of the bleeding. This is not a diagnostic tool.

fresh blood then you could have a stomach ulcer

Blood in the stools from a stomach ulcer would not be fresh blood but dark. Please stop giving incorrect information.

I was in your exact position two years ago and I was SO panicked, convinced it was bowel cancer. Mine turned out to be a combination of bile reflux (not the same as acid reflux) which had caused gastritis, and internal haemorrhoids

There are lots of things it is more likely to be than cancer, many of which you have probably never heard of and don't even pop up on google when you type in your symptoms. The main thing is that you went to the doctor and you got the ball rolling.

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine.

I personally have a fissure which made/makes me bleed when using the toilet while also having a 1 cm gall stone which made me have painful episodes.
It's been years since I've had it checked though tbh.

Blood in the stools from a stomach ulcer would not be fresh blood but dark. Please stop giving incorrect information.

Actually, if diarrhoea is present (and I posted before OP clarified it was not), fresh blood from an ulcer can easily excrete.

The most likely scenario is it is not.

But your symptoms require you to be referred under the 2 week pathway.

I would expect you to need a full colonoscopy and bloods.

Hope it's all okay - but definitely get seen ASAP.

Wait..it shouldn't be weeks - have you been referred on the 2 week pathway?

Your symptoms warrant it.

It shouldn't just be on an 'urgent' referral

christmas- I’m not sure as the GP didn’t mention any pathways, just said I’ve been referred. I have received my referral letter and have to call to make an appointment tomorrow, so that’s when I’ll know, I suppose.

GP also said the gastro unit here tends to be very busy with long waiting times, so to come back if my symptoms get worse.

@babayagga what did they say?

GP was even surprised her computer system told her I should be referred directly to gastro! And the referral letter I got told me to wait four days, then call them and be advised on waiting times. I called Macmillan and they also said my symptoms warrant an urgent referral (2 weeks). So it sounds like the GP is completely out of it. Therefore I’ve caved in and am going private.

At least it will put your mind at rest quickly - let us know how you get on.