Confirmed Cancer After Colonoscopy

Hey Samcon. It must have been a shock if you didn’t have symptoms. I did and got quite unwell as it wasn’t diagnosed properly until it was later and it was still a shock. You might feel a bit out of control of things without all the answers from more scans and decisions on treatment - it’s really rubbish but normal to feel all sorts of emotions and it will be a bit of a rollercoaster.

The only good news is that I think you get a bit more of a VIP treatment from the NHS and they know how hard it is and try to make everything as easy for you as possible.

So take it day by day until you get some more certainty. Some have an easier treatment ride than others but there’s a lot of hope and bowel cancer is quite well understood medically these days. 

Macmillian have a really good guide for friends and relatives to help them to support you…it can be annoying when people tell you you’re so strong when all you want to do is stay under the duvet and for it to be over, and we’ll wishing messages can be well meaning but get overwhelming…so depending on who you want to tell, it’s also helpful to have someone else field queries and messages so you can just focus on you.

Talk to your local Macmillian person or call them here…they have loads of info on everything you might start to worry about such as work/pay or getting help. 

Hi Samcon

Its a shock and frightening, I found my mind went into overdrive then I went on the internet which was a huge mistake. Scared myself silly 

You are on the radar they will do their  scans have a meeting of your team and then you will have a diagnosis and treatment plan 

If you have any questions ask away.
Bowel cancer is really treatable. 
take care 

Hi Samcon and welcome to the board. Yes it’s a big shock but bowel cancer is very treatable nowadays especially if caught early. The next couple of weeks will be a whirlwind of tests and scans and this will give your team the full picture that they need to decide on the best course of treatment for you. 
Please stay away from google - it is out of date and downright scary in places. I can post a link to the booklet that I was given before starting treatment if you wish although some people prefer to wait until they hear it from the consultant.

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in 2016 and I’m currently cancer free. The next year will be tough but everyone on here will be happy to support you through your treatment

Take care

Karen x

Morning Richb - thanks for your response, much appreciated. It’s the morning after so I am still in shock. I was told that I would be on the consultants list this week so they could start to discuss me. I am 61 , still working and very fit for my age. I assume surgery comes first and then other treatments. Any insights would be helpful.

Good morning- thanks for your response. I am just very eager to get on with treatment.

Yes surgery first is likely to remove the section with the cancer - that’s the most effective way of getting rid of it. They’ll also take some lymph nodes around the area in case it has spread to them. They’ll then test those / do biopsy stuff on what they take out to determine the type of cancer and any further treatment that will lower the chance of cancer recurrence or keep things at bay. 

Once the surgery has completed, the consultant you see for that will likely refer you to an oncologist for the next step of treatment. That could be chemo, radiotherapy or something else or a combo. Sorry I can’t tell you exactly what because it depends on the cancer.

But to assure you - you can get through the treatment. I had 3 days of chemo fortnightly for six months and it wasn’t nice but I survived and was able to have an active life, still do some work…all just with a few more naps. A friend with bowel cancer had 3 months of a different treatment - it really depends what treatment is best for the cancer type you have. 

There’s also sometimes a chance of needing a stoma with a colostomy bag…a lot of time time that’s temporary and just gives the place of surgery time to heal. I had one for a year and then a resection surgery to put everything back together. I won’t say “good as new” but everything is almost back to normal. 

everyone has a different story and I’m only letting you know what I went through to say that it is something you can get through, no matter how scary it seems now. Super they are seeing you this week and can give you the proper advice and information.

Hi Samcon

Once they’ve had they’re meeting they will decide on the best treatment for you. We are all individual and the plan will be centred around your needs. 
It’s really good that you are fit.They said to me. You’re fit we will throw everything at you. Ha ha. Bit frightening but I was pleased. I only had surgery in the end. 
Take care 

Hello Samcon, 

I know the feeling of shock you describe having been diagnosed with what they described as a large (4mm) rectal tumour following a colonoscopy. It was picked up via the screening programme. I thought I had no symptoms, but with hindsight maybe did (was blaming covid for my bowel habits being different). Scans were arranged over the next couple of weeks and we’ve been told there is local ‘lymph node involvement’, so stage 3. I had a week of radiotherapy and am now week 3 of 12 of chemo. You are at the worst time in my experience, just not knowing. But I agree with what others have said - it sounds as if it’s been caught early and your team will put a treatment plan in place. I’m wishing you all the very best from wet and windy Scotland. Moira 

Really appreciate the response. Yes, it’s a complete fog at the moment and feeling very frightened for what’s to come.

I would appreciate the link to the booklet. Thanks for helping me.