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  • Shared Experiences

    My mother lost her life to bowel cancer this year at age just 66

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    Bowel Cancer Cancer
    My mother lost her life to bowel cancer this year at age just 66.   I am wondering if and when I should visit a GP about my risk of developing this disease also.   I am a little scared that I am asking for trouble or for intervention that is not necessary.   Is it just as good to wait until I get any symptoms.  I have always had a sensitive tummy so I would find it hard to notice if I had any bowel changes.  If I did visit the GP does anyone know what I could expect the screening to be??   Thank you everyone.
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  • Kellie Clarke

    HealthShare Member

    PS I have just uploaded this photo of my mum and I.  This was the last time I saw her.   I flew home to Australia that day after staying with her during her surgery and looking after her.  She lives in England.   I never imagined this would be the last day I would see her alive. 

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  • Bowel Cancer Australia

    Bowel Cancer Australia is the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care for everyone affected by bowel cancer. We … View Profile

    Hi Kellie,



    Thank you for your question about the appropriate screening time and type for you considering your Mum’s diagnosis.



    Ideally we recommend you start screening earlier than the average person when you have a family member who has developed bowel cancer.



    Normally we would suggest to start screening 10 years from your mother’s diagnosis date, but due to it sounding like your Mum’s bowel cancer diagnosis was caught late, I would be discussing this with your GP now to see if they feel it is appropriate according to your current age and any other family history you may have.



    The screening would involve a referral to a Gastroenterologist and for a possible colonoscopy to ensure the health of your bowel, and to detect any possible polyps or diseased areas.



    I would also recommend this for your family members.



    For further information please feel free to have a look through the Bowel Cancer: Risk Factors and Bowel Cancer: Screening pages on the Bowel Cancer Australia website, especially the Screening Pathway and Risk Pathway.



    I hope this helps Kellie.



    Thank you also for placing a photo of yourself and your mum on this site, it is really lovely to see.



    Kind regards



    Tammy

    Bowel Cancer Australia Nurse Advisor



    Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer.

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  • Kellie Clarke

    HealthShare Member

    Hi Tammy,

    Thank you for your reply.   I have read the information on your website, its very useful.    What I don't understand, is if there is a way of testing (without colonoscopy) if a person has the genetic risk factor for bowel cancer via a blood test or something.   My mum was a smoker for many years, but ironically had given up just over ten years prior.   When she was diagnosed, they said that it was contained in the bowel and was easy to remove and would have no further problems.  When they did the hemicolectomy they discovered it had spread to her bladder, but they were confident they had removed all the cancer by also removing some of her bladder.  She was commenced on chemotherapy “just to be safe” (tablets). I found out later they had recommended IV but she had refused to go back to hospital.  She became bed ridden during her second fortnight of chemo, we assumed that it was the effectsof the chemo we had no idea she was dying.    I can't tell you how awful it is as nobody talks to you as a family member about what is going on ie the doctors etc.   even when my dad and I went to the hospital to collect the death certificate it said “colorectal cancer with metastasis” and I said, how do they know it had metastasised?   but my dad didn't want any questions asked.  so i never found out anything else.  

    King regards,

    Kellie

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    Bowel Cancer Australia

    Bowel Cancer Australia is the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and care for everyone affected by bowel cancer. We … View Profile

    Hi Kellie,



    Thank you very much for your post.



    You have asked a number of very good questions, including quite a few pretty specific ones, which are probably better to talk with you about directly.



    Please keep a look out in your inbox for a direct message from us about your questions.



    Thanks again and chat with you soon.



    Kind Regards,

    The team at Bowel Cancer Australia



    Please Note: Bowel Cancer Australia's Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory services are subject to the following disclaimer.

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