View Full Version : bowel cancer diagnosis-petriffied please. help
I have just seen a specialist because of change in bowel habit and blood in poo and had a sigmoidostopy- he saw what he called an ulcer and said it is srious and looks cancerous. I have to have in the next 3-4 weeks a colonoscopy biopsy mri and ct scan - has anyone else had this I am desperate for any help please anything at all thank you
Ok... I know it doesn't stop you from worrying but the mantra is "It's not cancer until they say it's cancer".
The only way to know for sure is to do what they're doing. That being said, I know as a survivor (head and neck cancer) it's scary as heck. Hang tough and get the tests done and see where you stand.
I'm curious as to the time frame of 3-4 weeks based on what the doctor said. That's seems rather odd to me. If I were you, I would look into a second opinion concerning the sigmoidostopy results as well as the time frame for the tests.
Positive thoughts
Did the specialist actually say looks cancerous, or could be cancerous? I would have thought they would get your tests done quicker than that. It must be very scary, I can imagine how frightened you feel. As Fishmanpa said though, they can't know for sure what it us unless they have done all the tests. I had a colleague at work who had a lot of blood in his urine. No infection was found, his blood results were out of whack, he lost a heap of weight, he was referred urgently to the cancer clinic, then in the end there turned out to be nothing wrong with him!
Hi Mimie I am sorry to hear this but like Fishmanpa said "It's not cancer until they say it's cancer" and there are other things it could be. At least you are getting everything checked out and I hope it turns out to be not serious :hugs::hugs::hugs:
Hi mimie,
my brother has just had the same tests which were done within a week so I would ask about the 3/4 weeks timeframe as Fishmanpapa said.
nomorepanic
25-06-14, 22:34
I am surprised he told you that without further tests and biopsies to be honest.
Serenity1990
25-06-14, 22:54
I'm surprised he said that, my thoughts are with you.
I know very little about cancers so any advice I can offer is limited, however I know two people in a developing country with pancreatic cancer, both of which were given a very poor prognosis. Because of their lack of a proper health system they self-medicated with diet, and both are now in their seventies, twenty years after diagnosis and as fit as a fiddle.
With conventional medicine cancers are often very treatable these days, even more so in the near future with advancements in stem cell research. Though my (medically unfounded) opinion is many of these modern diseases are rooted in the modern diet.
If he said it looks cancerous then why aren't they getting more tests ASAP? When my aunts doc felt a suspicious lump in her rectum she got a colonoscopy the next day and they could see clearly it was definitely cancer.
What age do ppl in the UK get their first screening colonoscopies? I'm wondering if you had one before. Here where I live everyone has to get one at 50 years old.
Like others have said, I'm amazed at you having to wait that long if there's a suspicion it could be so serious!
I don't know if this is any reassurance, but with my own gastro history I've met a lot of people over the years who've had treatment/surgery for many conditions including bowel cancer, and they've recovered & are living fulfilling lives. Also, ulcers in the bowel could mean many things including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for good results for you.. please let us know. xxx
I agree with Daisy - treatment is amazing these days. My aunt had stage 4, but the new chemo she was on was actually eliminating it! I'm pretty sure she would have beaten it but sadly she took her own life
UKmamainUS
25-06-14, 23:31
Good luck. My thoughts are with you. My husband had precancerous cells at a colonoscopy (He was 35). The polyps were huge but still were not cancer, despite having a crazy amount of symptoms.
I agree with Daisy - treatment is amazing these days. My aunt had stage 4, but the new chemo she was on was actually eliminating it! I'm pretty sure she would have beaten it but sadly she took her own life
Aww that is too sad. So sorry :( x
Good luck, I hope you get good news once you get your tests done
I am surprised he told you that without further tests and biopsies to be honest.
That's my concern as well. When I went to the ENT and he scoped me. I asked him to be straight up and not pull any punches. After a thorough exam he said "This is cancer. I don't know exactly what type but I've seen enough to know it is". He did a biopsy (FNAB) on the spot and I had results in a couple of days. At the appointment when I got the official diagnosis, I was booked to see the RO and MO that day (appointments were within a week). It just seems a bit off to me for him to say that and then not set up biopsies/tests immediately.
I would follow up with the doctor and get a more definitive explanation and time frame.
Positive thoughts
I can't sleep so hoping someone is online to reply Yes the specialist was at a private hospital-i paid the extra as I was told would have to wait two weeks on nhs. He said he is sure of what he has seen but it needs to be confirmed with colonoscopy and biopsy then mri and ct scans ro see if spread. He said 3-4weeks and of course drs will be away this tome of year then said he is going on holiday too-so that is prob why. I am left not knowing my future or if I even have one so please if you know anyone can help Anywhere please let me know or any other help as I need your help thank you
Catherine S
26-06-14, 03:44
That makes it even more strange if this medic is telling you he thinks it could be cancer and it might have spread...why on earth make you wait 3-4 weeks? That makes no sense, if it was me I'd be making lots of noise about this to be sure.
ISB x
But how ? What cAn I do have you any ideas? I am in their hands
Squeaky wheel gets the oil.....
Positive thoughts
nomorepanic
26-06-14, 10:07
Call your GP and explain the situation and they may be able to rush things through on the NHS
I have spoken to my gp today and am having scans biopsy and colonoscopy in the next 1-2 weeks, this will be while the consultant is on hols then he meets with radiographer and oncologist to decide what to do they then tell me. I am petrified and sure it will have spread badly -really because I don't know anyone who has had bc and lived -the three I know died so please if anyone could give me a good experience of this I would be grateful -thanks
sarahsarah
26-06-14, 15:30
My father-in-law had bowel cancer at 35. He's 78 next month and as fit as a fiddle. My friend Ellie had bowel cancer two years ago. She had the treatment and is fine now. My thoughts are with you at this worrying time but please remember there is lots of hope :)
I am so grateful to you for saying that, are both of them completely over it? The 3 people I know that had it died. I am so scared and to hear that people recovered, I am in a dreadful state!
Fishmanpa - did you send me something, my computer wouldn't open it - I am so very grateful to all and everyone who is giving me information.
Fishmanpa - did you send me something, my computer wouldn't open it - I am so very grateful to all and everyone who is giving me information.
Yes, I sent a note privately...
Positive thoughts
Hope it is nothing serious.
My partners father had this last year, he was put off and off by the GPs and told it was IBS (had no initial tests done) and now he is completely over it even with the delay! I'm pretty sure it is still very treatable, even once symptoms arise.
sarahsarah
26-06-14, 22:20
Yes, they're both fine. My friend has to have regular tests for now to check on things but she is cancer free now.
It's really important to remember that it's not cancer until the doctor tells you it definitely is. I know it's the first thing we think of, but it's usually the last for them as compared to other digestive problems, it is rare xx
AlexandriaUK
26-06-14, 23:37
I hope you didn't pay and go to Nottingham I paid and had rectal lower bowel exam and he told me it looked like cancer, had proper investigation at local hospital and biopsies and it thankfully wasn't cancer at all it was ulcerative colitis, he can't say 100% it's cancer till all tests are in.
Can not understand why he didn't do biopsies there and then, usually if they think it's cancer you get the 2 week referral as well or am I wrong, try not to worry till then.
I have just seen a specialist because of change in bowel habit and blood in poo and had a sigmoidostopy- he saw what he called an ulcer and said it is srious and looks cancerous. I have to have in the next 3-4 weeks a colonoscopy biopsy mri and ct scan - has anyone else had this I am desperate for any help please anything at all thank you
Mimie im sorry to hear of what you are going thru. But in your original post the doc said it "looks" like cancer. Lots of things look like cancer. Try to stay strong and get thru your tests first. Thats the only way to be sure.
Sorry to hear this mimie and understandably you are going to be frightened and scared but to try and give you some positive news a friend of mine was diagnosed with Bowel Cancer over a year ago, he had an op, had some lymph nodes removed and didn't have to have any chemo or radiotherapy, they are confident everything has been removed and he now just has to go for 6 month check ups. A doctor at my surgery had bowel cancer at 26, she is now in her 60's and retired a couple of years ago, she is fit healthy and has never had problems since.
Look at a couple of celebrities, Sharon Osborne, Lyn Faulds-Wood, Ben Price, don't know if you know them but if you google they have all had bowel cancer and all recovered.
I can't say anything that will make you stop worrying but just wanted to point out that many many people beat this disease and live full and healthy lives.:hugs:
thank you i am really grateful to hear that not every one dies from this disease as i am only in my 50's.
Does anyone know anything about gartoenterology or the staging procedure, i did not have many symptoms.
do you think it is better to go to a local hospital or Royal Marsden?
I have a letter from the specialist saying what he found but am too scared to read it, have appointment for colonoscopy on 7th July.
My aunt had keyhole surgery for bowel cancer two years ago - she's still around.
My cousin's husband had it so long I can't even remember - might be over 20 years in fact. He's still here too, and perfectly well.
NHS studies show if Bowel Cancer is caught early before it spreads then it is very treatable and this is a good chance that it can be cured with just surgery to remove the tumour in a few instances. It is only harder to cure when it spreads. Bowel Cancer 5 and 10 year survival rates are now going up all the time. Due to the medical advances of the past 50 years in a way now is the best time to have a cancer compared to the past due to the variety of treatments available. If you are diagnosed with BC just remember that nowadays it is not necessarily a death sentence as it was 50 years ago.
thank you all, i am really needing all these good examples. i have colonoscopy on monday, mri tuesday and ct thursday next week. went for my pre assessment this morning and at least the blood pressure was ok!
heard scary tales about people with stage 4 bowel cancer so if you have any positive news there please tell me x
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