Question for bowel cancer survivors

[Nogodsnomasters]

Hello,

Has anyone ever been diagnosed with bowel cancer that had normal blood test figures, negative FIT stool sample, no bleeding from the back passage and normal cal protectin test?

I'm asking because I have had these tests and those results so GP will not refer for colonoscopy. I have had trouble with my bowels for over 10yrs but the last 7 months it's ruining my life and the GP is happy to say IBS based on the above. And tbh I'm happy to accept that if that's what it is. But I have health anxiety and the more I suffer the more my brain says "you could have bowel cancer" hence why I'm asking if anyone has ever been diagnosed with it without any of the above red flags. And yes I'm on a waiting list for more counseling and I've already had CBT before and read every self help book going.
Thank you

The FIT test was done 2 months after symptoms got worse so that was Aug 2023.
Yes my B12 was tested during the blood test and was slightly high actually but I had been taking a supplement at the time.

Its been six months without a qfit..

You could ask for another from nhs

Or you could order 1 online..

Ive had 2x recent colonoscopies

• polyps removed in both

I have to have another soon..

Bowel cancer history in our family - theyve already said due to the polyps they found last year - i need surveillance for life ( im under 40)

My qfit was positive

Coeliac disease can be dismissed as IBS. Worth discussing with your GP.

Have you tried an low FODMAP diet? Clinical trials show it improves IBS symptoms in about 80% of sufferers. After two weeks of doing it i had my first solid poo in years and my regular excruciating wind and cramps disappeared. It's a hassle to do the elimination phase but it's so worth it. Helps all sorts of other gut disorders too. There are cookbooks which make it easy
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/lucy-whigham/low-fodmap-recipe-book/9781912023035

I had polyps removed. I'm 51.

How often should I be offered a colonoscopy now?

Depends on the number of polyps and types/ sizes of them - some are riskier than others

Correct.

The American Cancer Society advises that...

People who have had certain types of polyps removed during a colonoscopy
Most of these people will need to get a colonoscopy again after 3 years, but some people might need to get one earlier (or later) than 3 years, depending on the type, size, and number of polyps.

More details here:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html

I guess the answer to my original question so far is a no.

@Nogodsnomasters i am in a similar position. 13 months of on and off diarrhoea, sometimes I can go three months without an episodes, other times only a week. 13 months I’ve probably had 15-20 episodes of diarrhoea. I have had normal bloods, 2 FIT tests, 3 months apart (both negative), an abdominal ultrasound, stool tests for h palorai etc and inflammation (all normal).

Yes still I am convinced I probably have bowel cancer. My gp has referred me to gastroenterology but I’m not sure if they will do much by diagnose me with IBS.

Also - I know it feeds to HA addiction but normal bloods and 2 negative fits leave the chance of bowel cancer at 0.04% - and this still doesn’t reassure me. I don’t think anything but a colonoscopy will but it’s unlike I will get one!

Could you pay for a private mri of your abdomen to reassure you ?

The guts charity could be good to talk to

I did not realize it was 0.04% I thought it was between 1-5% after a fit test and normal blood test. Maybe I will ask for a 2nd fit test, I only had the one and mine was 5 months ago. I agree I don't think anything other than a colonoscopy will reassure me that I don't have bowel cancer. On the other hand, the idea of a colonoscopy actually terrifies me 🙄 so in my mind I can't win.

IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion and GP’s are too keen to assume it. I would push for a colonoscopy. (BC survivor of 16 years here).

Ive had 2x colonoscopies last year

The prep 4 it is worse than the actual procedure

I agree re gps too keen 2 say ibs

I got diagnosed IBS last month but that was after 2x colonoscopies - both within a year - both with polyp removal...

... im due another colonoscopy with a cap camera on it this spring

I have extra colonoscopy screening for life due to polyps they found last year

Mums dad died of bc in early 50s

Sorry to hear you had bc
But so glad it was caught

Def ask for another qfit from NHS
Or buy 1 online

Mri or ct scan wouldnt be too bad of an idea either

Do push 4 colonoscopy tho

I understand it is but it's not the current NICE guidelines to offer a colonoscopy if you have negative FIT test and normal blood test and normal palpable stomach examination.