Bowel cancer question

katniss44 · 2023-05-01T19:54:28+00:00

I am in my mid thirties and have some symptoms of bowel cancer - persistent bright red blood from my bottom and an often loose tummy being the main ones. I also have external piles. The obvious answer is to go to the GP but I've done this on a few occasions and had two colonoscopies both of which were clear. I still can't shake off the feeling that something is wrong though. I sometimes get a pressure/pain inside my bottom or feel like I can't empty my bowels fully. As I said, I do have piles and I guess this could be to do with that. I suppose my question is if I had a clear colonoscopy 3-4 years ago should I assume all is ok in terms of cancer at least? I read online it can take up to 10 years for a polyp to turn cancerous so by that logic nothing untoward should have happened yet. Has anyone been in a similar situation or has any experience of this?

Original poster

katniss44 · 01/05/2023 21:45

Bump

OP posts:

Babdoc · 01/05/2023 22:00

OP, none of us on Mumsnet can diagnose you online, you need to see your GP.
There are plenty of other conditions that cause pain, diarrhoea and bleeding, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and if your piles are continuing to bleed then you may need a haemorrhoidectomy or to have them injected or banded, as a separate issue.
Make an appointment and let your GP sort it out - that’s what they’re there for!

Original poster

katniss44 · 01/05/2023 22:32

Babdoc · 01/05/2023 22:00

OP, none of us on Mumsnet can diagnose you online, you need to see your GP.
There are plenty of other conditions that cause pain, diarrhoea and bleeding, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, and if your piles are continuing to bleed then you may need a haemorrhoidectomy or to have them injected or banded, as a separate issue.
Make an appointment and let your GP sort it out - that’s what they’re there for!

I know. I have. Hence my previous colonoscopies. I have health anxiety too and I don't know if I'm being irrational to keep going back when I've had clear colonoscopies in the past.

I'm not posting for a diagnosis from MN. I'm wondering if other people have experienced similar and what happened next.

OP posts:

lennonj · 02/05/2023 20:19

Some of what your symptoms are sound like the symptoms of piles https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/piles-haemorrhoids/
Have you had treatment for this? It would be worth concentrating on treatment for these and seeing if your symptoms totally clear up. I see that you have health anxiety but you can’t really have a colonoscopy every 3/4 years to ease the anxiety when the piles explain your symptoms.

Piles (haemorrhoids)

Find out about piles (haemorrhoids), including what the symptoms are, how they're treated and what causes them.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/piles-haemorrhoids/

pjparty · 02/05/2023 20:31

OP, I am in pretty much EXACTLY the same position... I'm sure I just have piles but still a worry. I have had two colonoscopies in the past (I didn't ask for them but symptoms warranted them and they actually more thought chrones or colitis last time as my inflammation markers were very high, but nothing showed up), last colonoscopy was 3/4 years ago as well... going to the docs next week just to be on the safe side given bleeding has picked up recently (I'm away at the moment). Hope yours clears up soon.

Xrays · 02/05/2023 20:40

This won’t be what you want to hear but I’m going to write it anyway because if you feel something is wrong you should have it checked again and again, and again.

My mum, Gran and uncle all died of bowel cancer. My uncle was lucky - in a way- because his was picked up early via a colonoscopy and he survived 15 years after it was found. My Mum and Gran both had colonoscopies, endoscopies and every test you could imagine and all came back clear - my Mums bowel cancer was found via CT scan in an area where the colonoscopy and endoscopy couldn’t cover. She died 6 weeks later. Very similar story with my Gran.

It may just be piles and / or ibs type stuff and that’s the most likely explanation but I wouldn’t assume that because you had a colonoscopy 3/4 years ago that was fine that it’s still fine now. You should push for further tests .

Original poster

katniss44 · 02/05/2023 21:07

Thank you all I have booked a doctors appointment. It's not for 2 weeks but at least it's booked in and I know I'm being seen. I have lived with piles for years but it just feels a bit different recently.

OP posts:

Original poster

katniss44 · 02/05/2023 21:08

Xrays · 02/05/2023 20:40

This won’t be what you want to hear but I’m going to write it anyway because if you feel something is wrong you should have it checked again and again, and again.

My mum, Gran and uncle all died of bowel cancer. My uncle was lucky - in a way- because his was picked up early via a colonoscopy and he survived 15 years after it was found. My Mum and Gran both had colonoscopies, endoscopies and every test you could imagine and all came back clear - my Mums bowel cancer was found via CT scan in an area where the colonoscopy and endoscopy couldn’t cover. She died 6 weeks later. Very similar story with my Gran.

It may just be piles and / or ibs type stuff and that’s the most likely explanation but I wouldn’t assume that because you had a colonoscopy 3/4 years ago that was fine that it’s still fine now. You should push for further tests .

I'm very sorry to hear about your mum and gran. Cancer can be a sneaky, horrible disease. I've lost relatives to it too which is why it's always in the back of my mind.

OP posts:

Xrays · 02/05/2023 22:42

katniss44 · 02/05/2023 21:08

I'm very sorry to hear about your mum and gran. Cancer can be a sneaky, horrible disease. I've lost relatives to it too which is why it's always in the back of my mind.

Show quote history

Thank you ❤️

I am glad you’re going to be seen again. 💐

HowdoIgetbacktothe80s · 03/05/2023 08:56

I have the same concerns especially the incomplete evacuation and feeling like something is there. Bad tummy for years but I just can not get my symptoms under control. I had a colonoscopy, gastroscope and ct scan in 2019. I had a pill camera endoscopy last year but I still stress all the time, especially as, no matter what I try to do to ease my issues I still have daily issues. I’m on a waiting list to see a surgeon to check the last part of my colon and rectal area but so far the waiting time has been 8 months and still no idea when I may get an appointment!

ThelmaDinkley · 03/05/2023 21:08

My husband was diagnosed last year with colorectal cancer. Was dismissed by drs as piles even though had had a dodgy polyp removed a few years ago. Had surgery earlier this year and is now recovering. My message is if it doesn’t feel right push and persist, you know your own body better than anyone.

worldwidetravel2017 · 10/06/2023 13:56

How did you get on / how are you all getting on?!
Im currently awaiting biopsy results.
I had some polyps removed
One was large