Some advice needed please.

Hi ,

Sorry to hear that . Are you still getting your CEA taken . My friend had a sudden bleed and was referred for investigations . It turned out to be polyps in her womb and benign. But she was referred to check it out . Think that’s only reasonable . What I would do would be to check out the NICE guidelines for bleeding in that area and see what the Gp protocols are then use that to get the check up you need . That’s the only way to have peace of mind .

The NHS are asking people to come forward with screening issues so you might want to raise that with your GP .

I always think they listen a bit harder when you are informed .

I take it you still get your CEA levels taken ? 
Take care ,

Court 

Thank you for your reply Court. I don't get anything taken. My six month check up is this July. What do you mean by CEA? 

Hi 

CEA is a blood test and levels can be raised in most people with active bowel cancer (or if it spreads). In the UK it is done every three months with a CT scan every six months for the first two years after diagnosis and then it changes to blood test every 6 months and a CT scan yearly up to five years after diagnosis. Smokers tend to have higher levels than non smokers and they look at rising trends in combination with scan results when deciding if something needs investigating further. 

Hi ,

When they go to the hospital for your check up they sometimes take bloods . Part of that is to check your tumour markers . Which for bowel cancer are CEA markers . If they are raised they can send for a scan to check for recurrences to do with bowel cancer . They can also check other tumour markers . Things are up in the air just now but my mum’s GP ‘s practice actually does hers . Might be worthwhile asking your GP about just to give you peace of mind . If They were previously raised they do let you know . 
You could also phone your specialist nurse to see where you get your check up and see if they could advise you . 
The other Avenue to go through would be our helpline . The are currently open from 9 am to 5 pm 0808 808 0000 . They could probably give you the help you need to ask the right questions .

You are right to get it thoroughly checked out .

take care ,

 Court 

Hi Nicky ,

Thanks . Must have been typing at the same time but you’re much better at describing these things!!

Have a good day ,

Court 

Hi . Sorry to hear that you’re worried and I can imagine that you’re disappointed by the treatment you’ve had so far - I’ve always been led to believe that unexpected bleeding like that should be investigated by a doctor so don’t be brushed off. 

Can you contact your Colorectal Support Nurse and ask them to send you a blood test form out for your CEA? Nicky explained it really well and it’s a quick and easy reassuring check but I know my doctor can’t request it as it has to come from the hospital.

Please let us know how you get on

Take care

Karen x

Hi Nicky, I haven't had a blood test done since last November. I kind of feel like I've been dumped now by my cancer team. I know they are busy with Cancer patients, it's just having all that support and now it's gone can be hard at times. They tell me to ring them if I need any advice, but I always feel like I'm wasting their time.

Hi Karen, I had a chat with my Cancer nurse today and she told me, it is highly unlikely that cancer has spread to my womb and they have never heard of that with bowel cancer patients. She didn't advise a blood test and just said to me to see my GP again and ask to be referred to see a gynecologist. 

So I just have to wait and see what the swabs will show, which will be nothing as they swabs taken aren't looking for cancer.

The nice Guidelines for bleeding . 

Suggests an ultra sound .