Hello, I am new to this but would like some advice. Since March I noticed my bowel habits changed and a bit of blood, I spoke to my GP surgery but did not take it further as I am 40 years old. Last month out of the blue my GP contacted me and wanted to do another check. After blood and stool tests it turns out that I am folate anaemic and a positive fit test. I have a colonoscopy booked for next week and it seems that all signs are pointing to cancer. Do they tell you on the day of the colonoscopy they have found cancer? Has anyone had a folate deficiency and then diagnosed with cancer? Any suggestions would be great. Thank you
Hi Crazycow
I'm not sure if I'm qualified to give advice, but here's what happened when i went for my colonoscopy
When I had my colonoscopy I was able to watch everything and I could see the tumour, they took some biopsy's and they doctors will not definitively confirm cancer until they have the biopsy results, and they do a further CT scan to help determine the stage if it turns out to be cancer
I asked the Dr carrying out the Colonoscopy "you see these kind of things day in and day out, in your opinion what are the odds this is cancer 10% or 90%," and to be fair to the Dr she said is was probably cancer, then the following day I got a call to book a CT scan and a follow up appointment after the scan to get the official news.
It all moved very quickly, I had my results last week and I go in for surgery this Friday,
I hope everything goes well for you and it is all done quickly
Hi. Crazycow
In my colonoscopy I saw the polyp as they called it. The term used was enormous. I asked if it was cancer and was told not sure without biopsy which they took a sample. At my endoscopy Twas the same. My diagnosis and treatment plan I was told Cancer.
After op I was told the findings.
Good luck with it all. It’s very frightening and the mind can jump all over the place.
Ann
Hi Crazycow, I am 49 and I had a colonoscopy last year for the same reasons as you - anaemia. Also - my GP had felt a lump in my belly.
During the colonoscopy they found something big in the far end of my colon and the doctor told me that I would need surgery. They can't tell you if it is cancer on the day because a tissue sample from the polyp is sent off for testing.
It took about 2 weeks for the result to come back and it was cancer. I was not too distraught because the colonoscopy doctor had prepared me for bad news. I had surgery about 2 weeks after that.
Try asking for a CT scan.
Surgery went well - they removed about one third of my colon - and it was stage 3 cancer. I recovered well and had 6 months' chemo afterwards. The chemo is not fun and I grumbled all the time! The nurses were lovely. All much better now.
I think it's more common to have some chemo before surgery, but I couldn't because of a complication.
I wish you well. It might not be bad news. Look after yourself as best you can - good food, rest and fresh air.
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