Experience of potential bowel cancer?

[greyinganddecaying]

My dad has been fast-tracked for an appointment with colorectal surgeon.

He has high FIT result, has had low blood count for over a year (despite strong iron tablets) & is pooing 5 times a day (mostly liquid poo) for months.

We're obviously preparing ourselves for a cancer diagnosis. It could be IBD (there's family history of it) but I'm not hopeful. We think they'll probably do a colonoscopy & go from there.

Has anyone got experience similar? I don't have anyone to talk to about it & I'm so worried.

The FIT result simply means that he has blood in his stool. That's a common symptom of ulcerative colitis. I think it's a bit early to jump to a cancer diagnosis. UC would explain both the blood and the frequent need to poo.

Good luck to your dad. You'll know for sure after he's scoped.

Thanks @MissConductUS - I hope you're right 🤞

Does he experience pain soon after eating? That was my only symptom apart from anaemia.

Agree with @MissConductUS, don’t jump to conclusions

I was diagnosed with colon cancer after a blood test showed I was anaemic. The Doctor asked for a fit test and that was positive. I was fast tracked and initially had a consultation with a dr who felt around and said he couldn’t see anything remarkable so sent me for a colonoscopy and endoscopy.
They were unable to perform the colonoscopy due to intense pain so I had a ct colonography which showed my tumour.
I appreciate this is al very scary but if you want to message me, I’d gladly talk you through any questions you have.

Much love x

Thank you @Borntobeamum

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer a couple of years ago. He has refused treatment or surgery and is still fine thankfully. He has regular scans and it is a slow growing tumour so far. He just has to have iron infusions every 6 weeks.

He had no change in bowel habits, just low on iron and the symptoms that came with that making him feel unwell. They did a colonoscopy and found something suspicious, then did another plus a scan and found it.

I can understand how worried you must be and I really hope that it is something else than can be fixed.

Quick update - they've found a large growth. It'll need surgery whether it's cancerous or not (they've taken biopsies).

Thanks for posting update. You must all be worried but he's on the path of getting treated. Best of luck to your Dad and hope all goes well. Mind yourself too.

Thank you. They're doing further CT tests - we believe to check if it's spread further (I think they're expecting biopsies to confirm cancer). Then taking all the test results to the MDT to see what the best plan of action is.

I think the waiting is the hardest part at the moment.

Sending you lots of love 🥰

My FIL had symptoms, loose bowels, blood etc., It took a while for doctors to actually refer him and when he had tests, it was very far advanced. He was 65. He had surgery to remove a large portion of bowel, he had a colostomy bag followed by radiation treatment. The colostomy was reversed 6 months later and made a full recovery. He had regular scans every couple of years and died at 88 due to heart problems.

My relative has just been diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. Unfortunately it has spread to the liver, lungs and lymph nodes. They have started chemo + targeted therapy. There seems to be no option of surgery or radiation as it's spread too much. Heartbreaking.

Latest update is that the tumour is being removed this week. No sign of cancer spreading to other organs, but they'll remove & check the lymph nodes as part of surgery. If it's in the lymph system they'll give him chemo. Will know more when surgery done & results are back.

I'm struggling to sleep thinking about it all!

That's great news. The cases where surgery is possible have the greatest success and prolonged non recurrence. Good luck and hope it goes smoothly.

Wishing him a speedy recovery and all the best x

Thanks all - last update, despite it being a large tumour and then needing to remove almost a foot of colon, the lymph nodes have come back clear of cancer, so no need for chemo, just regular checks/follow-ups.

Can't quite believe how lucky he is. Thanks for all the support ♥️

Brilliant news - you must all be so relieved

There’s an excellent Facebook page for support. ‘Bowel Cancer Support Group UK’.

Excellent. That's a really lucky escape. Hope he remains cancer free and healthy.

@greyinganddecaying

Thanks all - last update, despite it being a large tumour and then needing to remove almost a foot of colon, the lymph nodes have come back clear of cancer, so no need for chemo, just regular checks/follow-ups.

Can't quite believe how lucky he is. Thanks for all the support ♥️

That's fantastic news!

Fab news!

Great news op.

Wonderful news Op - thanks for updating!

Delighted for you both god bless x

That’s the position I was In 2.5 years ago. I have regular blood tests and ct scans and still all clear!
I’m very happy to hear about your dad x