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Possible bowel cancer?

Saul
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Hello!

So for a while now I’ve been struggling with sleep and have put my tiredness down to this. I have recently had a blood test and it’s shown I’m low on Iron and folic acid. Apparently this can cause tiredness also.

I have been feeling pretty unwell for a while and had put it down to changes in IBS. I have had discomfort after eating for a couple of months.

On my dads side of the family every man has had bowel cancer, including dad.

After the low iron finding I was asked to come in to get a poo test. I picked it up today, and it’s a FIT poo test.

I will try and send it back as soon as possible, but considering the circumstances. Is this just routine or should I be worried?

Thanks

Saul

  • Hi Saul,

    My name is Isobel one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialist, on the Macmillan Support Line.

    Thank you for getting in touch and I hope that you are finding our online community beneficial.  

    I appreciate how worried you are about your symptoms especially when there is a family history of male family members being diagnosed with bowel cancer. There is an increased risk of bowel cancer if you have a first degree relative (parent, brother, sister, son or daughter) diagnosed with bowel cancer.

    However it is important to add many symptoms, including those that you are describing, can be the result of other illnesses and conditions.

    I am glad to read that you have seen your GP, and they have arranged a further test as your iron levels and folic acid are low.  

    A FIT test would be routine, and appropriate in your situation. This may identify if you are losing blood from your bowel which may not be obvious when you go to the toilet. This test on its own is not enough to say if this is cancer or not, but it would help identify a possible source of your anaemia.

     Worry is normal, however these tests are an important step to helping you and your GP to understand what is causing you to feel so unwell. They will then help determine what steps may be. Your GP should explain your results to you when these come back. While you are waiting, if you have any changing or worsening symptoms do not hesitate to get back to your GP to discuss these.

    It maybe helpful to consider calling the Macmillan support line to have a more detailed conversation with one of our nurses. Sometime a 2 -way conversation can be more beneficial.

    Best wishes,

    Isobel Y, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

     

    Ref/ IY/Ghi

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