surprise discovery of colon cancer…..help!!!

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Hi everyone

Newbie here. I’m in complete shock and unsure of next steps etc. Can anyone help reassure me please, I’m going out of my mind!

I’m 41 years old and have just received an accidental diagnosis of colon cancer.

I went into A&E 2 days ago with severe abdominal pain. They suspected kidney stones and sent me for a CT scan. My results showed that I did indeed have a kidney stone,however they found something else far more sinister, thickening of my colon which they said was cancer.

They sent me home and said someone would be in touch the next morning but no phone call came so I called A&E today and they have said that the A&E consultant has referred me for a colonoscopy and scan of my abdomen, pelvis and chest. I will then be referred to MDT?

Can anyone tell me how long this typically takes? My family and I are all going out of our minds with worry. I think the not knowing what I’m dealing with is the worst. I am terrified!

thanks so much xx

Kareno62 over 3 years ago

Hi LornsC and a warm welcome to the board. What an awful shock for you but good that it’s been spotted as there has been a lot of cases where people have been deemed ‘too young’ to have bowel cancer. The colonoscopy and scan are standard procedures to get the full picture of what is going on and then the MDT will meet and decided on a treatment plan for you.

I was referred by my doctor and was fast tracked under the 2 week rule because I met the symptoms for bowel cancer - I would like to think that this rule would apply to you too because they suspect it already. Perhaps you could give your doctor a ring next week and see if they can chase it up for you?

In the meantime stay away from google - it is out of date and downright scary in places. Bowel cancer is notoriously slow growing but very treatable nowadays especially if caught early. These first few weeks waiting for appointments, scans, meetings etc. are very stressful but once you have a plan in place then things will honestly feel a bit better.

Please keep posting and we’ll be happy to share advice and experience and help you through this.

Take care

Karen x

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

Gemmary over 3 years ago

Hi LornsC, I second what Karen has said. Mine was also fast tracked and I had my operation a month after official diagnosis. Stay on here, you will get lots of support and help.

LornsC over 3 years ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi Karen, thank you for getting back to me so quickly. Really hope they fast track me and that’s great advice to contact my GP. I’ll get on to them next week to see if they can chase up for me. Maybe these horrible and painful kidney stones have been a blessing after all!!

Lorns xx

LornsC over 3 years ago in reply to Gemmary

Hi Gemmary, fingers crossed they fast track me too. Will keep you posted xx