I think I must have bowel cancer - please help!

[bookworm1982]

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

Just bumping to see if anyone else wants to jump in with some reassurance xxxx

Hi OP. A gut surgeon I met once told me that if you have a colonoscopy which is clear, you can relax for the next 5 to 10 years because it takes so long for a cancer to grow. Hope that helps!!

Hi Op. it is very likely that your symptoms are caused by other things so try and keep calm for the next 2 weeks - easier said than done I know. Myself and my siblings have colonoscopies every 3 years due to family history. Both my brother and I have had polyps removed but nothing else.
But I do want to correct a previous poster - not all bowel cancers take 5 plus years to grow. Is anyone has any symptoms they should always be checked out even if they have had a colonoscopy in the last few years. And as an aside, not all bowel cancers grow from polyps.

Thank you for your message. Do some colon cancers take less than 5 years to grow? As all the research I have read online (from good sources) say it takes 10-15 years for a polyp to become cancerous, and pretty much all bowel
Cancers start as a polyp. If you know different I would be grateful if you could explain, even if it causes more worry! Thanks again xxx

What I don’t want to do is worry you more! It is very very likely your symptoms are caused by something else and you have your colonoscopy booked.
Good luck with the tests.
I didn’t want anyone else reading this thread to ignore symptoms thinking they had a previous colonoscopy within the last 5 years so didn’t need checking. Most bowel cancers are very slow growing taking years to develop. But for example, someone with lynch syndrome is typically screened every 2 years. Also a friend of mine who suffers from diverticulitis had a clear colonoscopy less than 3 years ago but now has early stage cancer - but very early stages and treatable. All symptoms should always be checked as the earlier anything is found, the more treatable it is.

Piles can and do cause mucus. So can your endometriosis.

It's perfectly understandable that you're extra-vigilant about this, and do check with your appropriate medic. However, it's much more likely to be a minor cause. Stop googling!

Hi Bookworm,

I can understand your fear. I don't have any medical training but thought I might be able to relax you a little. I also lost a parent at a similar age to your Dad and know the utter terror of the thoughts of developing bowel cancer.

The last time I went for a colonoscopy was 5 years after the previous and I worked myself into such a complete state the night before (due to my age/history etc). When the doctor saw the state I was in she asked how long it had been since my previous colonoscopy. When I said 5 years she told me to relax that they time the exams so that nothing will grow/develop to a level that they can't deal with it.

It appears there are some exceptions from what some of the previous posters have said but I suspect that there are many other issues which can cause your symptoms (doesn't make it any less terrifying).

I can only recommend trying some breathing/relaxing exercises and then some major distraction, hugs & cuddles with your family. I wish you the very best. The sooner its over and you can have some peace of mind, the better.

I have bile acid malabsorption, and I quite often get a lot of blood (from piles) and orange/brown/red mucus from the bile acid not being reabsorbed as it should, so it comes out in my poo. Sometimes there is a massive amount, more mucus than poo and it can be quite alarming, but it is just one of the traits of my illness. All the best to you.

OP, I completely sympathize with your anxiety; anyone in your position is going to be afraid, it's a totally normal response. That said, I don't think anyone can say anything that's going to reassure you. You have legitimate reason to be concerned and you're going to be checked out very soon which is a good thing.

Definitely discuss genetic testing with the specialist. They usually make a referral to a genetic counselor who will go over your family history with you (all cancers, not just bowel) and will be able to guide you.

But in the meantime....STOP consulting Dr. Google! You are only scaring yourself unnecessarily. Cancer, Lynch Syndrome - you have not been diagnosed with anything at this point. No need to learn everything about conditions that you may not even have.

I know two weeks seems like an eternity, but the colonoscopy will tell you what's going on. Distract yourself as much as humanly possible. Go out for walks, call friends, watch movies, read, play with kids/pets...whatever.

I have been where you are, waiting for tests (or test results/biopsies) and it really sucks. I understand. But you will get thru this and have answers soon. Take care.

I didn’t want anyone else reading this thread to ignore symptoms thinking they had a previous colonoscopy within the last 5 years so didn’t need checking. Most bowel cancers are very slow growing taking years to develop. But for example, someone with lynch syndrome is typically screened every 2 years

This is very true. And the other (dangerous) misconception is that "red" blood is nothing to worry about. Simply not true and always worth a visit to the GP even if you had a clear colonoscopy recently.

Yes, it probably isn't cancer, but should never be ignored, even in very young people.

Op definitely get your GP to get you tested for Lynch syndrome but please don’t worry as your last colonoscopy was fairly recently. You are 100% doing the right thing in getting checked out for these symptoms. But they may well be caused by something else.
you are in the system, you will be looked at very soon. I know it’s hard but try to stay positive

All the best, I hope you get an all-clear soon.

Yes I totally understand xxx

Thank you for taking the time to write this, it really helps xxx

Thank you, and very well said. I am at work today and keeping busy. I've stopped with evil
Google!

Very sweet not to want me to worry more (not actually sure that's possible though! ) xxx

And also sorry for your loss. It's devastating to lose a parent to cancer so young. The worry that you'll get sick too one day stays with you forever ☹️ xxx

Did you get lots of diarrhoea as a symptom of Chrons? X

How did you get on op? @bookworm1982

Hey, thanks for asking. Colonoscopy is on Wednesday 🙏🏻

Hi @bookworm1982 Hope everything goes well on Wednesday and good luck with the prep!

Just started the diet of chicken and boiled potatoes 😭

The worst part of the colonoscopy is all the prep! The day itself is easy as you are sedated. You will be fine.

I'd go as far to say that for me the prep was very nearly worth it for the sedation. It was blissful after all the anxiety and worry leading up to the colonoscopy

Ha yes I actually remember the sedation last time, he told me to suck as hard as I could, I did and fell into a dreamy delirious state 😃