Have a colonoscopy scheduled but so scared of colon cancer

[SB2017]

I posted on this once before, but I booked my colonoscopy and I’m petrified it’s going to show colon cancer.

I’m 35 and I last had a colonoscopy back in March of 2016. For the past few months I’ve had diarrhea, almost every day. I also have a pain in my lower back, and an ache on the lower left side of my abdomen but that comes and goes and sometimes I can go a day or two without feeling it. I also get nauseous a lot. I know a lot of this can be anxiety, and other things but my mind goes straight to cancer! I know it’s unlikely for cancer to develop so soon but I always think I’m the exception to the rule.
I really don’t want to drive myself crazy until December 8th!
Anyone else have these symptoms and it turned out to be nothing?

 

[mollyfin]

Colon cancer grows so slowly in most people - even if you do have it, which is extremely unlikely at your age, it won't have had much time to grow. People in the at-risk age group go for one every ten years. I think people with elevated risk go every five.

Stomach problems are common with anxiety, and some people get 'em regardless. I haven't had a normally-acting stomach in 30 years, and I'm not 40 yet! Runs in my family. Have you tried probiotics? My old GP recommended them, though I always forget to take them, so I can't say as to whether or not they work when taken properly.

 

[SB2017]

I started taking probiotics about a week ago. Doesn’t seem to be making a difference yet. Some days I don’t go at all and then some days I start off the morning with a normal-ish bowel movement and by the time I go the 4th time or so, it’s watery.

 

[FlipperK]

I started taking probiotics about a week ago. Doesn’t seem to be making a difference yet. Some days I don’t go at all and then some days I start off the morning with a normal-ish bowel movement and by the time I go the 4th time or so, it’s watery.

I have seen plenty of doctors that probiotics doesn't help with every day improvement, there just isn't enough bacteria to make a difference in gut flora in health individuals. It does help during times of sickness or when you are taking antibiotics, in that case it makes a short terms difference, but nothing long term.

There was a study by several Universities as well that showed this too, they analyzed the gut flora is numerous individuals and found that short term effects when your ill or taking medication, does help due to the massive imbalance of bacteria. But no significant difference in otherwise normal individuals.

 

[SB2017]

I have seen plenty of doctors that probiotics doesn't help with every day improvement, there just isn't enough bacteria to make a difference in gut flora in health individuals. It does help during times of sickness or when you are taking antibiotics, in that case it makes a short terms difference, but nothing long term.

There was a study by several Universities as well that showed this too, they analyzed the gut flora is numerous individuals and found that short term effects when your ill or taking medication, does help due to the massive imbalance of bacteria. But no significant difference in otherwise normal individuals.

My gastro doctor had recommended it because I was on antibiotics 5 times in July and August for a tooth infection and dental work. I didn’t take probiotics while on the antibiotics and I wasn’t eating much at all. I guess he’s thinking to restore the good bacteria? I just can’t get cancer out of my mind. I’m pretty much convinced it can’t be anything else except that.

 

[mollyfin]

My former gp recommended them and I know people who have claimed success with them on various issues, but only after at least a month. That's all I know. My gp definitely said don't expect results to be fast. I've heard the ones stored on shelves at room temperature do nothing and only ones kept consistently chilled can really contain live bacteria, but again, I don't know. I've never stayed on them long enough to find out myself.

 

[SB2017]

Thanks. I’m hoping something works. Because the more things that don’t work, the more I fear it’s colon cancer.

Has anyone ever had these symptoms and it turned out to be nothing?

I had a colonoscopy 4 and a half years ago. Could colon cancer develop that fast?

 

[Bobnnat]

Thanks. I’m hoping something works. Because the more things that don’t work, the more I fear it’s colon cancer.

Has anyone ever had these symptoms and it turned out to be nothing?

I had a colonoscopy 4 and a half years ago. Could colon cancer develop that fast?

SB, at your age the incidence rate is about 1 in 10,000. That’s for males. Odds are better for females. Those numbers assume there have been no prior examinations. You had a scope less than 5 years ago! I presume no polyps were found. Polyps grow first and take at least 10 years to go from little bump to cancer. And, only 1% of all polyps even have the potential to becomes cancerous

Your odds are literally a million to one. However, the odds of getting possibly severe symptoms from anxiety from this are very high. Sounds like irritable bowel which is anxiety driven, but benign.

 

[SB2017]

Thank you. I guess deep down I know the chances are low but I always think I’m the exception, and I fall in that “one in a million” spot. I can also think logically for a bit but then I’ll feel a pain in my lower abdomen (very quick, like a jolt) and my anxiety goes through the roof and I’m back to thinking it can’t be anything other than colon cancer.
When I had the colonoscopy back in March of 2016 there were no polyps to my knowledge.

 

[blueberries]

Hey SB, for what it's worth (and considering I'm also going through a major colon cancer scare also it may not be worth much), your chances of having colon cancer within 5 (or even 10) years of a clean colonoscopy are very small. And your young age is on your side. Many people have the symptoms you have listed and they do not have colon cancer or anything close. It could be as simple as a dietary issue.
When is your scope scheduled? I had one 5 years ago which showed no polyps or anything suspicious. I've also had 2 earlier ones which were okay. I should listen to what I've told you and believe the chances of anything sinister in my colon are pretty small. But it's so hard to think anything but the worst case scenario, isn't it?

 

[Belizz]

I totally agree with Bobnnat.
My dad got some polyps removed after he got a bout of black stool (later they found that he had bleeding in his spleen, nothing sinister. They just removed the spleen. Problem solved).
But dr didn't even care much about the polyps, asked him to come back for check up after 5 years because of my father's old age. Would be 10 for a normal person with no history, he said.
So you are absolutely fine.

 

[SB2017]

Thank you! You both make a lot of sense.

Some days I don’t feel it and I’m ok and tonight I feel it more than usual so my mind is racing. I’m thinking that I’m the exception to the rule and that some kind of cancer developed there. Or it’s some other cancer that I don’t know about, or my gyno missed ovarian cancer on the ultrasound.

I can’t convince myself that it’s nothing

 

[mollyfin]

Even ovarian cancer that was too early to cause symptoms would show on an ultrasound. I've seen ultrasounds of my own ovarian growths (that weren't cancer thankfully); there's no missing what should and shouldn't be there!

 

[SB2017]

I called my doctor this morning because I’m having second thoughts on getting my colonoscopy.

He had given me meds for IBS that seemed to help a little with the diarrhea. I was on them for two weeks and it pretty much stopped it, but I had it maybe twice since finishing on Saturday. I still have the pain in the lower left side. It’s not really a pain per say but feels more like a pull that comes and goes but is maybe a 2 on a pain scale. Some days I don’t feel it and sometimes it feels like it wraps around to the back.

My fear is getting a colonoscopy while covid is raging! I’m scheduled for December 8th and I feel like if I go, I’m going to catch covid and if I don’t go, it’s going to be too late for the cancer that I’m convinced I have. I had a colonoscopy in March of 2016 and when I asked him if cancer can grow that fast he said “I never say never but it’s unlikely”. This still didn’t make me feel better

 

[Bobnnat]

That’s what a doctor would say as they need to cover their asses, especially in the US (where I assume you are). Again, your odds in reality are infinitesimal. Depending upon where precisely you live, by Dec. 8th elective procedures might even be postponed due to COVID. I’m sure the protocols in place would be excellent.

Tough decision, given health anxiety coupled with this damn virus.