Bowel Cancer - screening advice needed

[snookhams]

I hope that there might be someone in the Dis world that can help/advise us that has either first hand knowledge or as a healthcare proffesional.

DH had a phone call last week from one of his brothers (older than himself) to say that he had just been diagnosed with bowel cancer and that because this is what his mother had and contributed to her death (DH was not aware of this as his older brothers and sisters had kept it from him - he is the youngest of 7 children), that all his siblings should be screened. DH had an appointment with our GP who is refusing to send him for screening as at 46 he does not need it!!! I have been trying to find out more and as far as I can see if you have had 2 close family members with the condition then you should be screen, but he spent over 20 mins with the GP who would not budge and refuses to refer him for any test. Just told him to take an asprin a day - will this help in anyway any opinions would be appreciated

 

[Pinky166]

I have no experience or advice other than I would get your DH to go to another doctor at the same practice for a second opinion....he is totally within his rights to do this. You could also call the NHS direct line for advice....0845 4647.

Hugs to you both.

 

[catherine]

I am an Endoscopy nurse and we screen people with a family history of bowel cancer who are a lot younger than your DH! I don't understand why your GP won't refer him! What reason did your GP give your DH? If I were you I would be looking for another GP, someone who will listen to your DH's concerns and be proactive on his behalf. It might help if you phone the Endoscopy dept at your local hospital to see if you can get some advice from someone there. You would not believe the number of patients who we see, who have to go backwards and forwards to their GP before they are actually refered to us and unfortunately sometimes it's too late.

 

[shellbell]

Unfortunatley my Nanna died of bowel cancer and her Dr said that all close family members should be screened for this. I would deffinatley get a second opinion as this would out your DH and yours minds at ease.

 

[snookhams]

Thanks Pinky and Catherine - DH is obviously beside himself with worry over his brother and is anxius to get this sorted. DH actually saw our GP's wife who is also a GP and she said that there was no reason for him to be tested!!! He has actually been in touch with his brother, and he has managed to get in contact with his consultants secretary and she has said she will speak to him and ask him to either write or phone our GP so we will wait a couple of days and see and then take things further if necessary

 

[catherine]

Of the top of my head I think that the protocol is: if you have two or more close relatives (in your DH's case mother & brother) who have colorectal cancer over the age of 45 then screening of your DH should start from age 40 - 45. I can't understand why your GP is not taking care of this!

I hope that you are able to get this sorted out! Good luck

 

[kieras nana]

we have family members,who have passed away,from bowel cancer,includidng my dad, & we were informed,we should all be screened.my eldest sister,went straight away & she would have been about 42.i really don't think,his age,should come into it,at all!
he really should return,to his doctor & tell him,he wants the screening,carried out.
best wishes,to you all
tracy

 

[Snowy-girls]

I am no expert+don't really have any advice on Bowel cancer.But my Grandad has been thru all the lead up to+inc Prostate cancer(he is clear)His brother had it+we was informed that all the brothers be tested,when my Grandad asked his Dr about this(my Grandad also had other symptoms pointing to this)he was told no he did'nt need the PSA blood test.Absolute tosh as we know the protocol for Prostate cancer+he should have been given it.He went 2 times and got told no.I went with him the 3rd time+we managed to get her to give him a simple blood form with the words PSA written on it-it came back that there was something there.If we had'nt had got this blood test i hate to think what could have happened.
I guess what i am trying to say is PLEASE don't give up-go back to your Dr,if need be seek another.I hope all goes well.Take care.x.

 

[CarolynU]

My husband died of bowel cancer in 2006. His father had also had some cancer issues many years ago, and his mother died of breast cancer. With a history of cancer related issues in the family after DH died my children went to their GP to ask for screening, but they were both refused. Now they are only in their 20's, but they had lost their dad and it would have put their minds at ease. I guess there must be hard and fast rules about who qualifies, and I don't know what they are, but when you hear how easily treatable bowel cancer is if caught early and then you can't be screened it seems such a contradiction.

 

[KayleeUK]

I hope your DH can sort out a screening

 

[snookhams]

Thank you all so much for help and advice.

DH had a call at lunchtime on his mobile from his brothers consultant himself - really nice, and increadibly helpful, he told DH that he had spoken to our GP and that she would be referring him to the local consultant for tests etc., whilst on the phone to him our GP left a message on his answerphone to say the same thing.

He is really relieved as we are aware that the earlier this condition is caught the easier it is to treat.

 

[Jets fan]

Am really glad that you got this sorted out it must have een a terrible worry. My dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer 4 months ago and it is travelling. Hopefully the chemo will help slow it down, but it really is a horrible thing to get.

Good luck for the future
Tina

 

[catherine]

I am so happy to hear that you've been able to get this sorted! As you say colorectal cancer has quite a high survival rate if it's caught early enough, as it's contained in the colon, so it's imperative that people who have a family history or altered bowel habits are seen ASAP!

 

[paulh]

hope everthing go`s well, been there with eyes and was seen strait away.
Makes you mad when the doctor do`snt do something and you know there wrong sending you
Paulh

 

[Snowy-girls]

Great that you got this sorted+something is being done.How unbelievable that we have to beg to get something like this done.x.

 

[Strommie]

Really pleased to hear you have got things sorted

 

[Minniespal]

Glad that this has been sorted out

 

[tennisfan]

Glad that you have managed to sort it out

 

[dbriggsq]

Glad you've managed to sort this out. It seems to be a very grey area.

My Dad died 2 years ago from bowel cancer (actually he was neglected to death for 6 weeks in hospital but that's another story) and his 2 brothers both died from it.

I wasn't advised to do anything about screening but when questioning my doctor she thought it might be a good idea to see a genetic councellor which I did and she referred me to a consultant who said that in this case the protocol was to do one colonoscopy and take it from there. At the moment I'm waiting for my test and will see what happens.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

My hubby got screened when he was 50, it come back questionable, he had to do it again and it was fine, it was an awafull month for me, he did not seem to worry? My point is dont worry if the results are not perfect 1st time!!
Glad you got it sorted!