What were your symptoms prior to diagnosis of bowel cancer?

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Having read a post earlier, I thought it might be an interesting idea to collect & amass everyone's symptoms of bowel cancer, prior to their diagnosis. It seems to me, (when reading here,) that symptoms vary such a lot, particularly in regard to the specific site in the bowel. I am not sure whether this post has any purpose, but, it might be interesting for someone to collect all the data of personal experiences; yet also, reactions of GPs - when you first presented with symptoms. Yet also, it might help those that might be worrying about the possibility of whether they have bowel cancer.

& so, I'll start with mine:

My symptoms started in summer of 2018. At first, they were very vague - just a dull ache in a certain place in my lower left abdomen. At this stage, it was bothersome, but not enough for me to visit my GP. Soon after, I found I needed to dash to the loo with diarrhoea, then I had occasional bad stomach cramps & nausea. I then found I needed to lie down after eating lunch - & had extremely loud gurgling noises in my stomach - & I would massage my stomach, thinking it was just bad wind - & my thoughts were that I had IBS. A good friend asked me if I was losing weight - which I hadn't considered; but yes, I was having to wear a belt to keep up my jeans. Then, checking my weight, it was drastically reducing. The pain in my left side became ever more nagging, & after three visits to the GP, he ordered a Colonoscopy - which diagnosed a 5cm tumour in my descending bowel - which resulted in a left hemicolectomy in May 2019.

I knew that there was something wrong, but I had convinced myself that I had IBS. I never thought about bowel cancer at that time - probably because it was too frightening to consider.

On reflection, I am pleased with how my GP reacted to my symptoms, but that could be because of my age.

Marianne

Missing her 10 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi! Thank you, the symptom diary is super useful.

And no, I haven't yet had a colonoscopy because they didn't see the need.

Missing her 10 days ago in reply to Arial88

Aah yeah A&E is a good shout, thank you!

Missing her 10 days ago in reply to Missing her

Update: They've now referred me to the hospital. I called them to get some more information and they said it could take between 36-40 weeks

Horsegirl 10 days ago in reply to Anbou

Sorry I think I’ve written it wrong- I need the GP referral in order to go private. My Consultant has already requested the tests, but as they’re taking so long, I’m trying to go private. He said if we wait for the NHS it will be at least another month!

Kareno62 10 days ago in reply to Missing her

Hi Missing her When I was diagnosed my GP said that if a patient had 2 or more of the symptoms for bowel cancer then they were fast tracked for a colonoscopy. She faxed the referral through and said that the aim was to be seen within 2 weeks. Fill in the diary for a couple of weeks then use that as your evidence and insist on a fast tracked referral - I really don’t see how they can ‘not see a need’ for a colonoscopy x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Missing her 10 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Here are my symptoms which I have told the GP about:

Blood in my poo

Abdominal pain

Blood from the backside

Fatigue

Sudden change in my bowel habits.

I feel bloated.

Despite mentioning all this, they throw words like 'piles' around. I've been seeing the GP since October 2023 and they haven't been taking me seriously. I changed GPs as well but still the same case... Symptoms are now getting worse. And the other night, I couldn't fall asleep as I was in so much pain.

I am really hoping it's not cancer because I've been trying to get this looked into and they've been brushing it off. If it's cancer, it will always haunt me that it could have been caught early, if only someone actually listened to what I'm saying. If only someone cared.

Arial88 10 days ago in reply to Missing her

As Karen said it's hard to imagine how they can not refer you on the 2 week pathway. Has the GP given you a FIT test to do to check for blood in the stool? If that comes back abnormal then it it is just negligent not to refer you urgently. X

Arial88 10 days ago in reply to Horsegirl

What a frustrating time! I would just clarify if you are on the 2 week fast track referral. I was anaemic and on that alone my GP got me on the suspected cancer pathway and I had a colonoscopy in 2 weeks, via the NHS. I subsequently had a positive FIT test but this results came in post referral to avoid delays.

You shouldn't be waiting months x

Kmck 10 days ago in reply to Arial88

Hello I am just reading your dilemma of referral for a colonoscopy. I had the same as you I kept going back to Gp saw blood in toilet. This lasted for many years. Even though my bowel screening was negative I still saw blood on occasions. So kept returning to Dr. Eventually my bowel screening was positive. I was sent for a sigmoidoscopy. They saw a 2cm polyp that had turned cancerous. I wasnt that surprised but devestated. It was in the rectal area. Further than the Gp could have felt. I had an operation to remove it and 4 cycles of capox chemotherapy. This was October 2023. I put a complaint into Gp and they informed me I had been going for 10 years with blood after wiping. They told me it was piles too. I went 10 times over 10 years. When I was in hospital the nurses informed me I could have asked to be referred for a colonoscopy. The Gp has to do it. This is in Scotland. The polyp should have been removed before it turned to cancer. I was so angry. Please demand a colonoscopy. Takes 10 to 15 years for a polyp to turn. I had a colonoscopy and another 3 were found before my operation. I just hope my story will stop this happening again

Karen

Kmck 10 days ago in reply to Missing her

I had the same as you I kept going back to Gp saw blood in toilet. This lasted for many years. Even though my bowel screening was negative I still saw blood on occasions. So kept returning to Dr. Eventually my bowel screening was positive. I was sent for a sigmoidoscopy. They saw a 2cm polyp that had turned cancerous. I wasnt that surprised but devestated. It was in the rectal area. Further than the Gp could have felt. I had an operation to remove it and 4 cycles of capox chemotherapy. This was October 2023. I put a complaint into Gp and they informed me I had been going for 10 years with blood after wiping. They told me it was piles too. I went 10 times over 10 years. When I was in hospital the nurses informed me I could have asked to be referred for a colonoscopy. The Gp has to do it. This is in Scotland. The polyp should have been removed before it turned to cancer. I was so angry. Please demand a colonoscopy. Takes 10 to 15 years for a polyp to turn. I had a colonoscopy and another 3 were found before my operation. I just hope my story will stop this happening again

Karen