Would some kind person please talk to me about possible bowel cancer and possible ways of diagnosing it, or ruling it out, without endoscopy or colonoscopy?

[Petalplucker]

Apologies in advance for TMI.

There are two parts to this post.

1. It's a Sunday and I happen to be alone, working away from my family (within Covid rules) on a project and so have time to think. Plus this has coincided with seven consecutive days of quite disabling stomach cramps and loose stools and rushing to the loo in the night and early morning. Yesterday, thinking I was nearly better, I ate a proper meal for the first time in seven days and today I am paying for it again.

Prior to this I have had about eighteen months of having had diarrhoea for two or three days about once a fortnight (in between everything has been ok). I had an ultrasound scan which said I had a spastic colon. I have also been very tired recently. I am absolutely terrified I have bowel cancer. I know I need to seek medical help and not advice from strangers but right now I am alone and in a blind panic and desperately need some reassurance about what to do to the best given that ... .

1. ... when I go to the doctor they will recommend colonoscopy/endoscopy and that is something, along with drowning, that terrifies me most in the world. I already have acute anxiety around hospitals and dentists. I can barely tolerate having my teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist. The thought of someone putting a tube down my throat and not being able to breathe brings on this paralysing fear which is stopping me going to see the gp again. I know I would be breathing under sedation of course but even so the thought of even being minimally aware is terrifying me.

I know I need to do it as I have a husband and teens but right now I can't get past the anxiety symptoms in order to behave in a way that is rational and sensible.

Does anyone know of any other diagnostic treatments available please? Swallowing a camera pill? Having an endoscopy under a general anaesthetic? How would I access these?

Also, if you have had bowel cancer, do my symptoms sound familiar?

Does anyone have any wise words that will stop me playing ostrich?

I'm notmally a reasonably sane, sensible person so I feel incredibly embarrassed that I can't just go ahead and endure an endoscopy and colonoscopy like anyone else.

I’ve just done a quick Google and the NHS website says it’s a colonoscopy- a tube up your bum - rather than down your throat.

But there are loads of things that could be causing your symptoms so please just go to the GP and have a chat

Are you in the UK? You can ask for a FIT kit which allows you to test your stools at home and then send it off for analysis (they are sent automatically now to everyone over 60).

www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/

Yes, get a FIT kit first (the poo on a stick test) which will show if there's blood in your stools. If there's anything concerning there, a colonoscopy will be ordered (tube up your bum while you're very mildly sedated). No-one will be sticking a tube down your throat. Your bowels are at the other end!

Please go and see your GP.

Honestly it could be IBS or a bug you haven’t got shot of. Or it could be crohns or colitis. All of these more likely than BC.

You must get it checked out though. It is is an inflammatory condition like colitis it’s important to get it under control, or the inflammation in the bowel makes BC more likely.

So do see your doc, don’t just do the test above.

As PP says colonoscopy goes up your bum not down your throat. They give you Valium, it’s uncomfortable but not that bad.

But as a first step your GP will most likely do a blood test for inflammation.

You can buy FIT tests online as well.

Don’t they sedate you? I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy (it’s only a colonoscopy for the bowel check but they wanted to check my stomach too) and the last thing I remember was biting in some plastic bit and then waking up from what felt like the most blissful nap ever. The meds they use for sedation are bloody amazing. I’m in Australia though so maybe you have to do it awake and sober in the UK. But either way, it’ll be the one up the bum not down the throat for ?bowel cancer.

That said, your symptoms don’t scream bowel cancer to me. There are loads of more benign conditions it could be. You should speak to your GP. If they are concerned the first test they do is for blood in the stool. You’re not going to be sent straight for a colonoscopy, don’t let that fear stop you from getting medical care.

Thank you very much for the replies. Sorry I forgot to say that it would be both an endoscopy and a colonoscopy because I have a lot of acid reflux too and the doc said best to do both at once. (Well I think that was why.) I was panicking at the GPS as usual so didn't take it in properly. Stupid eh?!

No I am not in UK but I could get to London or Suffolk fairly easily (Covid rules allowing) if it meant avoiding any tubes up or down my pipes!

I’m going to say something that may terrify you but my whole family has had bowel cancer - my Mum, Gran, uncles etc. It runs in our family. Only my uncle is still alive. Anyway, none of them were diagnosed via colonoscopy or endoscopy or blood tests. All of those came back normal even though in my Mums and Grans case they were 6 weeks off dying from it. The reason I’m telling you this is because what actually showed it up was a CT scan - the colonoscopy etc couldn’t get to a certain part of the bowel I think. Because of this personally I would refuse to have anything other than a CT Scan. If you can’t have one on the NHS you can see a gastroenterologist privately and ask for one.

But - bowel cancer is generally low risk for younger people (most people are over 60 when diagnosed) so yes it’s good to be aware and rule it out but far more likely to be coeliacs, Addison’s, ibs, crohns, diverticulitis etc etc all of which can be diagnosed fairly easily.

I’ve had loads of colonoscopies (screening due to family history) and honestly they’re not bad at all. Same for the one down throat. you can tell them you’re anxious and to ramp the sedation up - you won’t even be awake. I only ever remember counting back from 10 and waking up in recovery. Please don’t let the Idea of the procedure put you off getting your tests.

I’ve had a colonoscopy and it wasn’t as bad as you imagine, the worst part was the disgusting drinks you had to have before hand. I was sedated, although I remember everything, and I got given photos which are delightful!

There are now endoscopy treatments that involve swallowing a pill, which has a camera in it and it transmits photos back to the Dr. I’m not sure how widely available it is, but it is out there.

You can also have a camera test - you swallow a tiny camera and wear a device for 24 hours whilst it takes pictures. I don’t think they do it on the nhs but you might luck out if you say you have severe health anxiety?

The NHS are starting to roll out the capsule endoscopy now, which shows they are more widely available than they were

www.england.nhs.uk/2021/03/nhs-rolls-out-capsule-cameras-to-test-for-cancer/

Similar to @Bagelsandbrie, my sibling had pancreatic cancer, but they initially suspected bowel cancer. They were diagnosed by CT scan and blood tests and never had either an endoscopy or colonscopy.

@onetwothreeadventure

I’ve had loads of colonoscopies (screening due to family history) and honestly they’re not bad at all. Same for the one down throat. you can tell them you’re anxious and to ramp the sedation up - you won’t even be awake. I only ever remember counting back from 10 and waking up in recovery. Please don’t let the Idea of the procedure put you off getting your tests.

Thank you for replying . Intellectually I understand what you are saying and agree with every word of it. But unfortunately the primal fear bit of my brain won't let me a cess the sensible bit. I literally start sweating and feeling anxious just typing about this. I know it's ridiculous and irrational btw.

@Bagelsandbrie

I’m going to say something that may terrify you but my whole family has had bowel cancer - my Mum, Gran, uncles etc. It runs in our family. Only my uncle is still alive. Anyway, none of them were diagnosed via colonoscopy or endoscopy or blood tests. All of those came back normal even though in my Mums and Grans case they were 6 weeks off dying from it. The reason I’m telling you this is because what actually showed it up was a CT scan - the colonoscopy etc couldn’t get to a certain part of the bowel I think. Because of this personally I would refuse to have anything other than a CT Scan. If you can’t have one on the NHS you can see a gastroenterologist privately and ask for one.

But - bowel cancer is generally low risk for younger people (most people are over 60 when diagnosed) so yes it’s good to be aware and rule it out but far more likely to be coeliacs, Addison’s, ibs, crohns, diverticulitis etc etc all of which can be diagnosed fairly easily.

I'm so sorry to hear about your family's experience with bowel cancer.

I'm quite shocked to hear about cancer not showing up through endoscopy, colonoscopy or blood tests as I thought that was the gold standard for diagnosis.

I am not in the UK so fairly certain I could access an abdo CT.

Thank you for the suggestion.

X post with Cazzamoomoo thank you that is very interesting.

My DH has had one or two bowel polyps in the past which he has had extracted and analysed during a colonoscopy, maybe that is why they are used as standard instead of CT? To diagnose and treat at the same time I mean.

I'm sorry I meant to say I am very sorry about your sibling Cazzamoomoo I know pancreatic cancer is one of the particularly tough ones

I've had several colonoscopies OP and was absolutely fine. A little uncomfortable but ultimately over in about 15 mins and no lasting pain. Just to reassure.

Thank you for the information about the capsule pill treatments too. Presumably they would be available somewhere in London?

helpmechoosewheretolive thank you for the reassurance. I just can't even begin to think about this rationally though. I have no idea why it terrifies me so much. I am not a complete wimp in other areas of life I promise.

I don't have much advice unfortunately but I just wanted to say I completely and totally understand your anxiety. I am worried sick myself at the moment ( stomach issues) it's so exhausting just sending you a hug x

Thank you so much Nikki360 I really appreciate that. It is exhausting. Hope you can access the medical support and reassurance you need.

What age are you, and what country? FIT is excellent at ruling out colorectal cancer.