This support group and others like it were so helpful when I had a bit of a scare last year. The outcome was good for me and I want to explain briefly what happened to help others who may be in the process of a diagnosis.
I am a 43 year old woman with no history of cancer. I had two worrying symptoms: 1) bleeding from my rectum and 2) severe stomach cramps and bloating. I was terrified that I had cancer as these where both entirely new symptoms for me, coming simultaneously and vigorously. I did a lot of reading online and frightened myself silly. I went to my GP who examined me and then went to see a specialist consultant who did a partial colon examination.
It turns out I have internal piles (completely unbeknownst to me) that were causing the bleeding. Embarrassingly, the bloating and pain was due to an intolerance to lentils 
. I had sleepless nights worrying about what was happening to me and was so thankful to have such a simple explanation to my symptoms. Not everyone is so lucky of course but if you are having sleepless nights ahead of a diagnosis I wanted to share a story of when it turns out ok.
Good luck to everyone on here. Xxx
