Cancer worries

[Hanneesweedie]

Hi everyone, I have not been diagnosed with colon cancer but I experience some pretty severe GI symptoms and there have been some blood test results that are ‘off’ for around a year now. The GP says they suggest chronic inflammation, but according to my own research online (I know, bad idea!) the abnormalities could also be signs of cancer. I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy last year and nothing was found so it was suggested I have ibs. Now with my blood results and continuing stomach symptoms I am having a colonoscopy. I’m hoping it’s something like crohn’s disease, if anything, rather than cancer. However, I’ve had the inflammatory test done on my stools and that case back negative, this was only done on one sample though and I think I’ve seen somewhere it should be done on 3. Basically I’m just worried about what will be found and also the idea of being sedated, can anyone offer any reassurance or advice? I’m also wondering the likelihood of bowel/colon cancer at the age of 26.

Thank you!

[Mike_NC]

If the sigmoidoscopy hasn't shown cancer then stop driving yourself crazy. The stool tests are not accurate - mine was negative and I had cancer. I won't lie to you, the colonoscopy is no fun but it's a short procedure and the sedation relaxes you so I always have it. I was told on the day of the procedure that they'd found a tumour. Try not worry yourself too much and just wait for the results from the camera. If they've found inflamed areas it may be crohns or it may not. Have you tried changing your diet to see if that calms things down? Try to avoid the never ending stream of nonsense on the internet and stick to the "official" sites. Hope it goes well.

[Hanneesweedie in reply to Mike_NC]

Ah yeah my stool tests were negative if was the bloods showing inflammation. I was referred for an mri after the colonoscopy due to inflammation or distortion in the small bowel. So waiting for those results now and trying not to worry too much!

[Contra21 in reply to Mike_NC]

What were your symptoms

[Mike_NC in reply to Contra21]

Everything I ate made me bloated and uncomfortable. I cut out everything that might be causing a problem and tried various diets but nothing made a difference. IBS like symptoms. No blood in stools and doc kept giving me fibre supplements. My father died from bowel cancer so I had an idea it might be that. The colonoscopy confirmed a rectal tumour.

[Contra21 in reply to Mike_NC]

Will you be ok

[Mike_NC in reply to Contra21]

In remission and need annual tests for the next few years but so far so good.