Some time ago I took part in the UK bowel cancer screening programme. The results indicated that there was a need for me to undergo a colonoscopy, and this took place on Wednesday afternoon.
During the colonoscopy, three polyps were removed, and these have been sent for further examination to see if there is any indication of the presence of cancer cells. The results will be passed on to me in a week or so's time, at which point I will know if I require treatment or not. In the latter case, I will undergo regular monitoring.
As my regular blog readers can no doubt understand, waiting for the colonoscopy has rather occupied my mind since I was told that I needed one. In fact, the procedure was no more that mildly uncomfortable ... unlike the pre-procedure process, which required me to take Moviprep on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. That said, I strongly recommend anyone who has what the literature coyly describes as ‘traces of blood in your poo’ to have the procedure. I may have bowel cancer (the odds are, in fact, quite low), but having had the colonoscopy, I will know, and can undertake any treatment that is required.
.jpg)
Best wishes and hoping it goes well for you. Not a nice illness.
ReplyDeleteRob Young,
DeleteCheers! Whatever the result, it’s better knowing than not knowing.
All the best,
Bob
I hope all goes well in any future tests. And you're quite correct, better to check (whatever the result) especially when you're a gentleman of "a certain age".
DeleteAll the best,
Take Care,
Tony Jones.
Tony Jones,
DeleteThanks for your best wishes. I as reluctant to take the test, but I’m very glad that I did. There’s not point In being ignorant and risking your health.
All the best,
Bob
Indeed, I thought I was having an attack of heartburn 3weeks ago. Luckily my wife insisted on a trip to A&E, the heartburn was in fact my stent closing. So yes, Always get it checked.
DeleteGood Luck and Best wishes,
Tony.
Tony,
DeleteYour wife’s concern and insistence that you sought medical advice was well placed, and it’s good that they were able to sort out the problem with your stent.
All the best,
Bob
My fingers are crossed Bob.
ReplyDeleteSound advice on getting tested.
All the best.
Nundanket,
DeleteCheers! If telling people what has happened to me encourages someone else to have the test and improves their life chances, I will be a happy man.
All the best,
Bob
Fingers crossed for you Bob. I had one last year as part of a normal screening programme and thankfully I was clear, although they did think I had a polyp at one point, but after further examination it wasn't. I didn't find it uncomfortable, but then after having had examinations for prostate cancer, this was a walk in the park! I completely agree about getting anything suspicious checked, as my prostate cancer was picked up as part of regular tests due to family history of the disease.
ReplyDeleteSteve J.,
DeleteThanks for your support and wishes of good luck.
I read all sorts of horror stories about the colonoscopy, but the hospital staff who dealt with me were very reassuring and highly professional. In fact, the most painful part of the whole procedure was having the cannula fitted. This was because my veins are not that close to the surface.
All the best,
Bob
Weren’t you under anesthesia?
DeleteNickN,
DeleteI was sedated and given a painkiller, and was conscious throughout the procedure.
All the best,
Bob
Wishing you all the best Bob.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteCheers! Thanks for your best wishes.
All the best,
Bob
Hope everything goes well for you , Cheers Tony
ReplyDeleteThe Good Soldier Svjek (Tony),
DeleteMany thanks for you support and best wishes.
All the best,
Bob
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will receive the all clear.
Best wishes, Arthur
Arthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteCheers! I am hopeful that things will turn out well ... but if the result isn’t, then I feel that it’s better to know than not to know.
All the best,
Bob
Hello there Bob,
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that all will be well. Sound advice for anyone ‘of a certain vintage’!
Take care,
DC
David Crook,
DeleteThanks very much for your kind words and best wishes.
I am hoping that spreading the word about the bowel screening will encourage others to avail themselves of this NHS service.
All the best,
Bob
Best wishes on the result Bob, can fully understand your anxiety whilst waiting. I admit to having ignored my screening due to this damn virus so this is a lesson to all us Gents of a certain age. All the very best my friend :)
ReplyDelete‘Lee,
DeleteThanks for your best wishes ... and I strongly urge you to have the test when the next opportunity arises. It will put your mind at rest ... and your family will appreciate it as well.
All the best,
Bob
Stay safe Bob.
ReplyDeleteJim Duncan,
DeleteCheers!
Stay safe and stay well,
Bob
Will keep my fingers crossed for a good result.
ReplyDeleteHoppy,
DeleteCheers! Thanks for your kind words of support.
All the best,
Bob
Hello Bob,
ReplyDeleteGood on you for getting the procedure and good luck with the results! Care and early action are key, had a similar experience with my first colonoscopy.
Good luck!
Stan
Stan M.,
DeleteThanks for your kind words of support.
I’m simply amazed how many people that I’ve got to know through wargaming and blogging that have undergone colonoscopies. You are right about early action being the key to ensuring a good outcome.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
I wish you all the best on the results and please stay safe. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteMark Nichipor,
DeleteThank you for your kind words of support and best wishes. They are much appreciated.
All the best,
Bob
Knowledge is power. If it is detected, then the treatments that are available will be a lot more effective. If you don't have it... there is a lot to be said for having peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteMartin,
DeleteVery true. The sooner it is caught, the better the prognosis, and the easier the treatment. I am worried that I might have bowel cancer, but at least this way I will know for certain whether or not I do.
All the best,
Bob
Best wishes Bob and fingers crossed. And well done for being upfront about the procedure and the need for testing. Too many people (let's be honest...too many men!) are squeamish and coy about health issues and especially anything to do with bowels or genito-urinary.
ReplyDeleteAlastair,
DeleteThanks for your best wishes.
You are absolutely right about the general attitude of many men to health matters. They either ignore it or laugh it off ... and quite a few pay the price of their ignorance. I’m not advocating dashing to the doctor every time you get a twinge, but if something isn’t quite right, get it looked at. Better to waste a bit of time and get reassurance than to suffer unnecessarily.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteWent through this nearly 20 years ago. The waiting for results is the worse part. Coping with bad news is difficult, but worrying is worse. Good for you that you had the investigation, particularly in these difficult times when the last thing anyone wants to do is go into a hospital. Best wishes for a good result.
Paul
Thistlebarrow (Paul),
DeleteYou are right about the waiting for the results being the worst aspect of medical tests ... although the pre-procedure ‘clear out‘ was very unpleasant! Once I know the result, I can begin to deal with it ... but until I do know, I seem to be going through all the possible outcomes in my mind. If I could settle, I might try fighting a wargame or two, but at present my levels of concentration are none too good.
The hospital was relatively empty, which was somewhat surprising. I gather that misinformation - some of it spread by ill informed MPs - has given people the impression that hospitals are unable to cope with the pandemic, and are overflowing with infection ... when the opposite is probably truer.
Keep safe and keep well,
Bob
Hi Bob -
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best, and trusting you'll get the 'all clear'. Cancer, the prospect of cancer - even the merest hint of it - is I think the scariest thing there is.
Cheers,
Ion.
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteMany thanks for your support and best wishes.
The prospect that I might have cancer is very scary ... but I’d rather be scared and informed, and thus able to do whatever it takes to overcome the cancer.
All the best,
Bob
Hope the results are ok. Better to know and either get an all-clear or get on with treatment than to be in the dark.
ReplyDeleteBigLee,
DeleteCheers, old chap! You are absolutely right that knowing that there might be a problem is far better than living in ignorance.
All the best,
Bob
Bob, surely this isn’t your first? I’ve had them every five years since turning 50. I’ll be 70 in December. All have been negative, but it pays to keep on top of it.
ReplyDeleteNickN,
DeleteThis was my first ... mainly due to me actually managing to take the samples properly due to the new 'poo stick' testing kit.
All the best,
Bob
Thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers (unaccustomed as I am to saying prayers in an orthodox fashion), Best Wishes, Mark
ReplyDeleteAnd again respect for saying it as it is on health matters. More men should be as frank and candid, it happens to us all.
Geordie an Exiled FoG,
DeleteMany thanks for your kind words of support and best wishes.
I think that far too many men regard their health as something that they feel uncomfortable talking about, even to their nearest and dearest. We have to change that attitude, as it can produce very dangerous outcomes.
All the best,
Bob