Cancer post a negative colonoscopy

FormerMember over 4 years ago

2 replies
123 subscribers
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Hi all - I’m new to this group. My mother (73) had a CT colonoscopy a few weeks ago, and yesterday in the post, received a letter for a lung scan. When they tried to call the hospital, they just told her she had been put under a colorectal specialist. From the research I have done I am assuming they have found something they think is cancer and are checking if it’s spread to the lungs. This has obviously come as a bit of a shock, and we are disappointed the hospital have not called to tell her this. I’m also confused as she had a negative colonoscopy 5 years ago with no polyps so thought it was unlikely they would find cancer 5 years later but know it’s possible as could have been missed. Would really appreciate any advice you might have and thank you so much in advance.

FormerMember over 4 years ago

Hi Shaz120

First of all welcome to our Group and I'm sorry to hear that you are all so worried about the letter your mum has received from the hospital. A phone call would have been kinder, but the hospital are doing the scan to make sure that they are giving your mum proper care. It is usual to have a follow-up colonoscopy after five years and my consultant told me that bowel cancer can be very slow growing.

It is quite common to have a CT scan of the thorax after a colonoscopy, and once the CT has been carried out your mum will be offered given an appointment with her Colorectal Consultant.

Like all cancers, they can spread, and as you have probably found out Bowel Cancer can sometimes spread to the lungs, liver and the pancreas, (the most common spread areas) but that doesn't mean that your mum's cancer has spread. The CT scan will show if there is any spread, and if there is it can be dealt with.

If you are searching Bowel Cancer, it is best to use reliable sites like Macmillan, CRUK and Bowl Carer UK.

Things will be easier once you have met with the consultant and you know what your mum's diagnosis is and a treatment plan will be discussed with you both.

It is so stressful waiting for tests and results and Covid is making this so much harder for many cancer patients, but hopefully the scan will be arranged quickly and her appointment with the consultant should follow quite quickly after that.

Macmillan have a support and helpline, the number is 0808 808 00 00 and it is available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm 7 days a week, and you can call them for emotional support and for help and advice with any cancer related matter. There is also a Carer's only forum on here which you may like to look at or join.

Take care and remember to look after yourself as well as your mum as you need to be strong for her at the moment.

VickiLynne

FormerMember over 4 years ago in reply to FormerMember

Thank you VickiLynne for your reply - very grateful. The test she had wasn’t actually a 5 year routine follow up, she’s lost a lot of weight and had irregular bowel movements so the doctor sent her for the CT colonoscopy. She had the full colonoscopy 5 years ago as had blood in her stool in a routine screening test. When they did the colonoscopy 5 years ago though they found no Polyps at all and said it was Piles. That’s why I’m a bit shocked that 5 years later they’ve seen something they think is cancer as I thought it took a long time for Polyps to grow into cancer so you would think a polyp would have been there 5 years ago. No guarantee though I guess. Thank you for your advice, yes - I guess we just need to wait for the lung scan which is next week and then take it from there.

Thank you for taking the time to reply