I am 36 years old and female and am petrified that i may have bowel cancer.
Over the years i have noticed some blood when wiping after a bowel movement but as this was always very very occasional i brushed it off. Yesterday was a different story. I again noticed blood when wiping but the most ive ever experienced but i also noticed a pool of blood in the bowl of the toilet which i have never had before! Ive convinced myself it was piles. Ive been to my doctor this morning who examined me but couldnt see or feel any piles. I am now awaiting a blood and FIT test and then depending on the results, a scan and colonoscopy. Im terrified and spiralling rapidly. Im sat at work crying and am looking for some advice or reassurance.
Hi 1989x and a very warm welcome to the Macmillan Community but so sorry to hear about your concerns.
Having been on my cancer journey for over 26 years (first diagnosed in 1999 at 43) with two very rare, hard to treat types of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (one incurable) then Asbestosis and recently Prostate Cancer that navigating this journey can be such a stressful and challenging time.
I will say that I have had a few positive FIT tests and subsequent scans and colonoscopies and nothing was found…… so let’s look for this to be the case for you.
But should you find yourself being diagnosed with Bowel Cancer…… talking with and getting support from people who have walked or are walking the ‘exact same' journey can help a lot.
The Community is actually divided into dedicated Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend that you look to join and put up your own post in our dedicated…….
Bowel (colon and rectum) cancer
…….. support group.
This group is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
As always the Macmillan Support Line is open between 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00…… this service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support or just a listening ear.
Talking to people ‘face to face’ can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
