My son has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. He is having tests within a week of diagnosis, does this mean it is more sinister and urgent
My son has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. He is having tests within a week of diagnosis, does this mean it is more sinister and urgent
Hi Hollyberry1978
Welcome to the online community. My name is Kathryn and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
I can see you have joined the bowel cancer forum. I hope you’re finding it helpful to share your experience with us.
Your son’s diagnosis of bowel cancer may bring up many different emotions and questions for you and getting the right information is important.
Following a diagnosis of cancer it is often necessary for the medical team to collect more information by doing different tests to fully understand the cancer and to make a treatment plan, which will follow a meeting of the multidisciplinary team (MDT). They would aim to do these tests as soon as possible but this does not necessarily mean that the cancer is more sinister or urgent.
Following the MDT your son may have to make decisions about his treatment options. Your son will be supported by his team in making the right decision for him. Some people also find it helpful to talk things through with family and friends.
It is also important to look after yourself at this time, you can find lots of self-care advice on our wellbeing hub.
You might also find speaking to one of our Cancer Information Nurse Specialists helpful, the support line is open 7 days a week 8am-8pm. You can call us free on 0808 808 0000 or contact us via webchat from our website.
I hope this information has been useful, please contact us whenever we can help.
Take care.
Kathryn
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Ref: KR/KD
