Colon Cancer

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Just to say my dad in his late 60's collapsed in the street,he was rushed to Guys hospital and it turned out he had lost a lot of blood ,he never went to the doctors even though he had the signs for ages, he, to cut a long story short had colon cancer,he had an op then over the course of time it was 3 times he went in to hospital to have more removed, he lived till 97

travelsafar

Please make an appointment. and get this checked out as soon as possible. It may be something relatively easy to fix- it might not. However you must make an appoitment. Let me know how you go on. I see my surgeon on tuesday, I wish I had gone to get it checked months ago. Good Luck.

I need to see my gp but am dreading the whole scenario of the reception asking me lots of questions.
For past 4 weeks I have had problems with bowel, a feeling of not fully emptied, leakage, and every time I go for a pee I pass loose faeces as well.
I have lost weight....not a lot ....but enough for people to comment on and I feel exhausted most of the time.
I put the weight loss and tiredness down to recent HR op but now I'm wondering????

Hope it went ok this afternoon Kupari. They are usually able to give you some information at the time.

Just a quick addition to this conversation...
I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at the end of 2023 after doing a routine FIT test.
I'd previously been to my docs with symptoms of stomach cramps (although I'd always had this problem from food intolerances) and blood in my poo. They put it down to menopause symptoms.
I've had part of my colon removed and then 4 rounds of chemo and I'm now on the mend. No stoma. It's been a tough time and the chemo has left me with a few minor problems but I feel SO blessed to be here.
I now tell everyone to trust their instincts when it comes to their health and don't be afraid of pushing for further advice if you get fobbed off like I did.
If I hadn't have got that routine test I dread to think what would have happened.
Take good care of yourself - lots of TLC!

Yes, good luck to everyone who is currently under investigation or undergoing treatment. Hopefully we will all have positive outcomes.

Good luck tomorrow OP.

I had a sigmoidoscopy on Thursday. I know it's not as invasive as a colonoscopy, but I didn't have sedation nor gas and air and it really was OK.

The staff were lovely and it was all very discreet. The tea and biscuits after were v v v welcome. The results for me were normal. Which means my symptoms will have to be investigated again differently.

I was tired for the next day or 2, stress I expect, and I did have a bit of an upset tummy which is a common side effect.

Hope it goes well for you and you get answers.

There's a difference between sympton less results and a test that is preformed because of symptoms. I've had a positive result (46) which is below the NHS threshold but I have some symptoms, therefore I am being checked out. I've copied a couple of extracts from the link below but it's worth a read if you have had a positive test or are experiencing any symptoms.
"According to NICE, a qFIT result which is 10 µg or above of blood per gram of stool is considered abnormal (or a positive result) and further investigation should be undertaken to find out what may be causing blood to be in the stool. This might include a colonoscopy, which can look at the bowel itself.
The qFIT test has been used in the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme since 2016. The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is designed to screen an asymptomatic population and uses a much higher cut-off value. This varies between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England this is 120 μg/g, Scotland 80 μg/g and Wales 150 μg/g (which is set to be reduced to 80 μgHb/g by 2023). This means that only results which are over these respective values will be treated as a positive result for further investigation."
allcheckedup.co.uk/what-is-a-positive-bowel-cancer-screening-fit-test-result/

Thanks varian

crazyH

varian - what does that mean - I have just had a FIT test

I think it means that if the result exceeds the threshold further tests need to be done.

There should be a ? after ‘mean) - sorry

varian - what does that mean - I have just had a FIT test

I've got a CT virtual colonoscopy booked and have been told that the results will take up to 2 weeks, possibly more and not to read anything in if it takes longer. The scans have to be read by a radiologist. Big advantage of this procedure is apparently, it can see cancer at a very early stage and also check surrounding organs.

Sending positive thoughts and best wishes. Take heart that you've an army of gransnetters routing for you.

Colon cancer screening is offered every two years between ages 50-74. The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) has a detection threshold of 120 micrograms of haemoglobin/g of faeces. People older than 75 years of age can request a screening kit every 2 years by ringing the freephone number 0800 707 6060.

Granarchist

good luck - a friend had a ct colonoscopy two days ago and has been told it will be up to a fortnight before she gets the result - understandably she is very unhappy.

I don’t think that’s good news then. Every time I have had one I have been told straight away. If it’s a polyp they tell me and remove it.

My neighbour who I mentioned earlier was told nothing on the day and had to wait a few weeks and that was bad news too.

Obviously don’t share this with your friend.

Just seen you said ct colonoscopy. Mine are not ct type.

good luck - a friend had a ct colonoscopy two days ago and has been told it will be up to a fortnight before she gets the result - understandably she is very unhappy.

Good luck with the treatment and recovery. I had several relatives pass away from colon cancers and I feel rather lucky. I keep up the test every two years.

Kupari45

I just wanted to thank those of you who kindly responded to my post. Most of them gave me hope that I will get through this.
Colonoscopy on monday afternoon, so no sunday roast for me on sunday !!
Then I will hear a few days later what the "plan will be".
Thank you.

Once you get a treatment plan you feel like you got a bit of control back...that initial anxiety eases a bit ....its the fear of not knowing thats the very worst ....just take it one day at a time...don't look too far ahead ....and DONT Google anything... I wish you the very best outcomes 🍀
( I'm 5 years good from breast cancer)

A year ago I had a sigmoid colectomy to take away a tumour in my bowel. Today I have had a colonoscopy which showed no abnormalities except a couple of polyps which were removed. Before my diagnosis I was in denial about the problems I was experiencing until one morning there was a large lump of blood in the toilet bowl. So I agree that if people are aware that something is not quite right, go and get checked out. The first blood test will show if there is something wrong. As someone said - listen to your body!

I just wanted to thank those of you who kindly responded to my post. Most of them gave me hope that I will get through this.
Colonoscopy on monday afternoon, so no sunday roast for me on sunday !!
Then I will hear a few days later what the "plan will be".
Thank you.

Definitely wishing you well. I was diagnosed 3 years ago after visiting the doctor because I had two spots of blood on the paper after going. I was lucky that surgery to remove 13" of colon and the formation of a stoma was all I needed, no radio or chemotherapy. I'm 67 and living a full and active life. I totally agree about not ignoring anything that isn't your normal. Hope all goes well for you, trust your surgeon.

My friend had this - aged 60 - had the op and a bit of chemo and she is now hurtling around as usual.

I hope this will be the case for you. x

A shock kupari but SO many uplifting stories on here! Just bluddy brilliant. 😊