Shocking news

[Itslaterthanyouthink]

Greetings to all of you on this site. I'm new here and I've joined because my partner has just been diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer and I want to support him by finding out as much as I can. The cruel irony is that he went to his GP six months ago with bloody stools, was sent for a blood test only and told everything was 'normal.' Clearly it wasn't. We will never know if this 6 months would have made any difference to his prognosis but I urge everyone who has suspicions about this illness to insist on further tests.

[MartinVB1000]

My understanding is that CRC is genuinely slow growth. The status of the growth is significant. Has is spread to the liver.

Your partner will get great treatment. Go with your medical advice.

[Itslaterthanyouthink in reply to MartinVB1000]

I also thought it was slow-growing, which is why we were optimistic that it hadn't yet spread. His screening test (done 2 years ago) was negative although I realise that this test is not definitive - it tests for blood in the stool, so if the tumour is not bleeding at the time, it will give a negative result. Very upset, though, that his GP didn't investigate it properly 6 months ago. I know of other cases where this has happened. It seems that GPs are not taking it seriously enough. It's up to each of us to push for proper investigation.

[MartinVB1000 in reply to Itslaterthanyouthink]

I did the screening test too and it never showed anything. Mine was staged at 3c . Three years on ... looking 👍

[Itslaterthanyouthink in reply to MartinVB1000]

Glad you're feeling good, Martin.

[madgelet in reply to Itslaterthanyouthink]

my wonderful GP sent me for a colon scan and the tumour was stage one, part of my bowel ws remove an I now have a stoma but my GP saved my life as I didn't need any further treatment. so do insist a colon scan. wishing you well x

[Ruthyxxx]

I am sorry you are going through this and my love and support to your partner xx I have been having problems lots of bleeding from my bum after going toilet and stomach pain, sharp pain when standing up, dull ache when sitting, they have referred me to colorectal surgeon, my appointment is on the 29th May. I’m particularly scared because I nursed my best friend who had bowel cancer before she died aged 30 2 years ago. Hers was from malignant melanoma which spread to the liver and bowels. I don’t want to tell my family unless it is cancer as we’ve been through enough with losing my best friend. You’re going to have tough road ahead of you, bowel cancer is cruel but stay strong for him and all he will need is your time and support. My friend just missed people as she got poorly she cut people out not intentionally but just make sure you keep the contact and visitors around him.

[Itslaterthanyouthink in reply to Ruthyxxx]

So sorry to hear of your own concerns, Ruthy. Fingers crossed for you.