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Bowel Cancer

Bumblebee63
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The doctor has found that I am anaemic and had now found trace blood in my stool sample. I have been having right side lower abdominal cramps on and off for years and thought it was IBS. I am very frightened because I have a triage appointment with the colorectal department at a hospital and I am sure it must be right sided bowel cancer. 

  • Hello Bumblebee63,

    Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Megan, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.

    Welcome to the online community. I do hope you have been finding it supportive.

    I’m sorry to hear about the distress you have been experiencing from your symptoms and subsequent referral to the colorectal department.

    Although anaemia, blood in the stool and abdominal cramps can all be symptoms of bowel cancer, there can be many other diagnosable causes of these symptoms.

    Most importantly, you have been appropriately referred on an urgent suspected cancer referral pathway. It may be reassuring to know that more than 9 out of 10 people referred this way are not diagnosed with cancer.  

    Having said this, it is completely normal to be worried about cancer. But if you start to notice that this becomes an excessive, all-consuming worry which affects your sleep, daily life and functioning, you may benefit from exploring ways to try and manage your worry.

    Sometimes it can help to discuss your concerns with others. You would be most welcome to contact us on the Macmillan Support Line, details of which are towards the end of this response.

    Alternatively, I noticed you are yet to join any of our forum’s. If you've just joined the Community and aren't sure where to start, the 'New to the Community' forum may be for you.

    I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

    The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

     

    Best wishes, Megan

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

     

    Ref MD/JF

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