Worried sick

[Rosieuk]

Hi I am a 58 year woman, diabetic type 2 and have had issues relating to bowels ,I had a CT scan about 3 years ago and came back OK, I have being having flat poops for about 2 weeks now ,and the colour changes from tan to dark brown ,my main concern is the flat shape ,I was also told I had minimal diverticulitis when I had the scan ,I was having pain in the lower left side of tum which feels like a sharp scratch ,it went away for years but is now back with the flat poops ,am worried sick it could be colon cancer ,I have an appointment next week but can't get this out of my mind

[Dance22]

hi it’s very hard no to be worried! I was when I got news it was rectal cancer! 5 weeks on from my surgery I’m doing just fine, they caught it in time, I’m on 5 year plan my appointment in four weeks time, just try to think positive 🤞🙏

[Rosieuk in reply to Dance22]

Thank you for your reply ,I hope everything turns out great for you

[Dance22 in reply to Rosieuk]

thank you, and it will for you just keep posting on here! everyone is very supportive 🤞🤞🙏🙏

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Rosieuk,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected. I hate to hear you're having these symptoms. You are doing what needs to be done to get answers. Have you had a colonoscopy before and if so, when? I would think that you'd be scheduled to get another one soon. I hate to hear you're having pain and it's absolutely necessary to find out what's causing it. It should also be noted that what you're experiencing could be caused by a lot of different things. You had minimal diverticulitis in the past. Some of the symptoms for that are also shared was symptoms of colon cancer. So, you definitely need to get it looked at and it could be something going on with the diverticulitis?

Another thing to think about is your family history. If there are any medical issues in the past within your family, that information would be good to tell your doctor. That could determine other tests that may be appropriate. It could also determine if you need to be put on some surveillance procedures.

You're doing exactly what needs to be done. I know waiting on the answers can be frustrating and cause some anxiety. But please know you're doing what you need to be doing. This could just be an escalation of the diverticulitis, but you are doing the right thing and getting it checked out and finding out the answers.

We do wish you the very best in going through this process. We hope you get on a path to being well soon❤️🙏. Please let us know what you find out. It is t hat type of information that can be helpful to others on this site as well.

Thank You,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Rosieuk in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Hi I didn't have a colonoscopy as the consultant said there was nothing sinister ,only a slightly thickened adrenal gland but he said that was an incidental finding and nothing of concern ,I am trying to tell myself that if there was anything at that point ,they would have done something ,I have read that colon cancer is very slow growing and can take 10 years to develop so am trying to keep positive by thinking the scan was only 3 and a half years ,I am going to push for another ct scan or colonoscopy to see what is going on

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Rosieuk]

Hey Rosieuk,

Just thinking out loud😁, since you had the CT scan 3 years ago, I'd try to go for the colonoscopy as that would give you the best information on what's going on. I say that because the colonoscopy is the gold standard for looking at colon. The colonoscopy can detect things the CT cannot. The colonoscopy can also take biopsies if necessary and see things that may be of concern in the colon wall (not yet a polyp?). The CT scan has it's pros as well, but can't get the colon details like the colonoscopy.

As a part of my surveillance procedures, I get a an annual CT Scan and an annual colonoscopy as well as a endoscopy every 3 years. Sounds like a lot but I have lynch syndrome and we need to catch things early.

You are correct that colon cancer is slow growing. I will never forget my oncologist telling me that the tumor they took out of me in 2012 was a polyp in 2006. And a polyp in 2006 was probably starting to develop in 2002? That would have meant that I should have had a colonoscopy when I was 39. The big problem is there aren't any symptoms that you have a polyp. Unless it's bleeding and showing up in your stool, you're probably not going to go for a colonoscopy with no symptoms. And even when the polyp is still in the colon wall developing, a CT scan may not pick that up.

Tom

[tony11173]

Its understandable to he worried. If its any comfort, i still have what you're describing plus a whole lot more. I still have red flags like iron anaemia and weight loss. Colonoscopy detected diverticulitis of ascending colon and gastritis in gut plus hiatal hernia. Ive been referred to a neurologist now because of pain.. I honestly wouldn't assume anything until its found if anything. I fell into that trap and it causes stress. I presume you've got a scope ?

[Rosieuk in reply to tony11173]

I have an appointment with my GP next week ,I am trying not to think about it but it's all I can pretty much think about ,I do have health anxiety issues and can get quite paranoid thinking the worst possible scenario, so much my old GP put me on antidepressants, I can't stop googling and of course that tells me it's CC

[tony11173 in reply to Rosieuk]

Thats why i backed off the internet search. I used a symptom checker website and the top answer was ' bowel cancer '. The colonoscopy i had only found diverticulitis which is bad enough. Of course i may have something else but for now, no one knows.

[Rosieuk in reply to tony11173]

I hope everything works out well for you ,I will stop googling and try and think of something else ,my brother always said ,why worry if you don't know what it is you're worrying about ,and I suppose he was right ,until I know what's going on I should just stop over thinking things ,thanks for your support it is most appreciated