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Original poster

I think I must have bowel cancer - please help!

57 replies

bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 18:40

Hello,

Just a bit of history. I am 41. My dad died of bowel cancer at 40, his dad died of it in his 50’s. So for that reason I have had quite a few colonoscopies in my life - I think around 5 now.

One in 2018 showed a tiny polyp which was sent off and came back normal, then about a year after that (in 2020) I had blood in poo again so had another colonoscopy, which showed no polyps and all clear ( except for haemorrhoids which probably caused the bleeding). So that was my last one in 2020 which was almost three years ago. They told me my next one should be in 5 years (so 2025), however I am already booked in for another one at the end of the month due to more bleeding!

I’ve had blood in my poo and constipation for many years, both before and after my colonoscopies, and it’s been put down to either haemorrhoids, IBS, food intolerances (wheat sometimes gives me bloating), or medication, so I am used to finding alarming things in my poo, and I often have mucus. However, over the past few weeks there’s been loads of mucus which has been orange, which is not normal for me, and I keep telling myself that it’s just my regular mucus tinged with the colour of poo, however tonight I’ve had a shock - loads of mucus, and a lot of it is orange and reddy brown. It’s definitely blood, and it’s not the fresh type. I’ve never seen anything like this and I’m so upset. What could it be? Could bowel cancer have developed that quickly, in 2.5 years?

I have two little boys and I am so terrified they are going to grow up without a mum like I did without a dad. I know I have a colonoscopy in two weeks and all will be explained, but in the meantime, I am in bits and need some sort of reassurance.

Please help someone!! Could it be something other than bowel cancer?

xxxxxx

OP posts:
BCBird · 12/08/2023 18:43

Hi OP. I am.not a medical.person but just wanted to pass on my best wishes. Hand hold to.u.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 18:43

Thank you xxx

OP posts:
PastTheGin · 12/08/2023 18:43

This must be so worrying for you! It could be all sorts of things, the only way to know is to get checked out properly. Good luck 🤞

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 18:45

I should have also said I have endometriosis on my bowels, maybe that's causing the bleeding? I don't think it can be blamed on haemorrhoids this time as it's not fresh blood, it's the darker old kind x

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 12/08/2023 18:48

It could be and probably is something other than cancer. There's loads of bowel disorders that can cause bleeding and mucus. Please try not to worry too much (though I know that's easier said than done!)

Are you on any medication? They can sometimes cause weird and unpleasant side effects!

GalaApples · 12/08/2023 18:49

Another handhold - be as positive as you can about other possible causes - maybe diverticulitis or colitis. And breathe ... thinking of you.

Boredofmyguts · 12/08/2023 18:49

Could it be chrons or colitis? I hope all will be ok.

calmcoco · 12/08/2023 18:52

Although your family history is a risk factor, it is not automatic you will follow, it is only a risk.

You mention your endometriosis which of course is a significant difference from your male relatives!

You are very regularly checked which is good. I hope your next checks are prompt.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 19:00

I wondered about chrons, although again my last colonoscopy was as normal. I've had blood and mucus and abdominal pain many times in the past, both before and after normal colonoscopies. But this is different! Just so much bloody mucus. It's hard for me to tell myself it's the other factors.

OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 19:01

I keep telling myself that bowel cancer grows from polyps very slowly, and I never had any on my last colonoscopy, but surely there are unlucky people who it just develops super quickly

OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 19:14

Could bowel cancer develop that quickly?

OP posts:
Tangotango123 · 12/08/2023 19:20

Please please please go and get tested for Lynch syndrome if you haven't already!!!!!! It could possibly be genetic if your dad sadly passed away at a young age and his dad too! Not many people have heard of Lynch syndrome and even your GP might not have!
Also sorry to hear you're having these issues, keep going back to the GP until it gets sorted! Sending hugs xx

tinkertots · 12/08/2023 19:21

Handhold, and please stay away from
Google x

painochocolate · 12/08/2023 19:23

Oh gosh you've got a lot going on OP. Stay away from Google. Just wait for the results of your colonoscopy. I know that's hard. Take care.

Redannie118 · 12/08/2023 19:35

I have stage4 endo on my bowels and I know from my experience and of the ladies in my support group that that blood and mucus can absolutely be caused by endo. Obvs, new rectal bleeding should ALWAYS be checked out, but I hope you can find some comfort in my words.

restitchingthreads · 12/08/2023 20:11

Hi, just wanted to let you know I have crohns and this was how it first appeared to me....lots of bright orange mucus, so there may be lots of things that appear this way. Do definitely see your GP though just to be sure. Hope this helps a bit x

Vinvertebrate · 12/08/2023 20:19

Do get checked for Lynch as @Tangotango123 says. (I have it). If you don’t carry a risky gene that itself may put your mind at rest somewhat.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 20:26

Redannie118 · 12/08/2023 19:35

I have stage4 endo on my bowels and I know from my experience and of the ladies in my support group that that blood and mucus can absolutely be caused by endo. Obvs, new rectal bleeding should ALWAYS be checked out, but I hope you can find some comfort in my words.

This is very reassuring. Can I ask if the blood is fresh and bright or dark and orangey? Xx

OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 20:28

Tangotango123 · 12/08/2023 19:20

Please please please go and get tested for Lynch syndrome if you haven't already!!!!!! It could possibly be genetic if your dad sadly passed away at a young age and his dad too! Not many people have heard of Lynch syndrome and even your GP might not have!
Also sorry to hear you're having these issues, keep going back to the GP until it gets sorted! Sending hugs xx

The Bupa doctor that I saw for colonoscopy in 2020 mentioned this, said unlikely but worth checking. He referred me but I never heard anything. I'm sure he said something about having to check my dads records or something, which was tricky as he passed away 30 years ago. Can I be tested myself? X

OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 20:28

Vinvertebrate · 12/08/2023 20:19

Do get checked for Lynch as @Tangotango123 says. (I have it). If you don’t carry a risky gene that itself may put your mind at rest somewhat.

How did you get tested for it? And what led you to do it? X

OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 20:29

restitchingthreads · 12/08/2023 20:11

Hi, just wanted to let you know I have crohns and this was how it first appeared to me....lots of bright orange mucus, so there may be lots of things that appear this way. Do definitely see your GP though just to be sure. Hope this helps a bit x

Thank you. Can that be diagnosed via colonoscopy? Xxx

OP posts:
Tangotango123 · 12/08/2023 20:35

bookworm1982 · 12/08/2023 20:28

The Bupa doctor that I saw for colonoscopy in 2020 mentioned this, said unlikely but worth checking. He referred me but I never heard anything. I'm sure he said something about having to check my dads records or something, which was tricky as he passed away 30 years ago. Can I be tested myself? X

Show quote history

Definitely chase it with your GP, it's usually a blood test, I was diagnosed with being a carrier of Lynch at 18 as my dad had bowel cancer in his 40's, if there's a strong family history of bowel cancer under the age of 60 it's worth looking into and pushing to be tested. Xx

ladeluge · 12/08/2023 20:38

I had similar, but not sure it's the same as you. Dark blood and mucus, I knew that wasn't right! I had upper GI endoscopy, was diagnosed with H Pylori infection that had caused an ulcer to bleed.

The blood deposits were called "melena". It was sorted with PPIs and treatment for the infection. I did have a blood transfusion and an iron infusion as the bleed was serious at the time and I was seriously anaemic. I couldn't believe it TBH as I had no symptoms!

I then had colonoscopy and they found 7 rather big polyps, but they weren't the source of the bleeding. Over two further colonoscopies they managed to remove all the polyps some of which were 4-5 cms so were BIG. No symptoms and no cancer either thankfully. I will be checked every 3 years now.

Original poster
bookworm1982 · 13/08/2023 10:30

ladeluge · 12/08/2023 20:38

I had similar, but not sure it's the same as you. Dark blood and mucus, I knew that wasn't right! I had upper GI endoscopy, was diagnosed with H Pylori infection that had caused an ulcer to bleed.

The blood deposits were called "melena". It was sorted with PPIs and treatment for the infection. I did have a blood transfusion and an iron infusion as the bleed was serious at the time and I was seriously anaemic. I couldn't believe it TBH as I had no symptoms!

I then had colonoscopy and they found 7 rather big polyps, but they weren't the source of the bleeding. Over two further colonoscopies they managed to remove all the polyps some of which were 4-5 cms so were BIG. No symptoms and no cancer either thankfully. I will be checked every 3 years now.

Thank you for your message. Maybe it is polyps. I didn't have any 2.5 years ago, not sure how long it takes for them to get so big Cx

OP posts:
Original poster
bookworm1982 · 13/08/2023 10:34

I feel very low about it this morning and can't function. Apparently cancer grows from polyps very slowly, over 10-15 years, and I never had any polyps 2.5 years ago. This is my only reassurance but now I'm convinced I have this lynch syndrome and it's developed super quickly.

OP posts: