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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Bowel motion

    I am a 49 yr old woman who is slightly overweight, exercises regularly and eats a reasonably good diet. 2.5 yrs ago I had a hemicolectomy after it was discovered I have bowel cancer. It was only stage II, MSI-H, and therefore no chemotherapy was considered necessary.

    Until 4 months ago I would normally only have a bowel motion 1-2/wk but over the last few months, this has increased to 10-12 times per week. They are now very flat but still about 2 cm wide and of regular length and texture. Occasionally very mucousy, sometimes dark but never black. I have haemorrhoids which do bleed at times (which I am not worried about).

    I also have strange sensations in my mid-abdomen (annoying but not painful) which I think might be from adhesions from bowel surgery and subsequent incisional hernia repair. I am due for my next colonoscopy in June. Should I just wait till June or consider bringing it forward?

    I do not want to be considered a hypochondriac, and I don't want to be worrying about something if it is quite normal.
  • Find a professional to answer your question

  • 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

    Thank you for your enquiry. 

    Due to the detailed nature of your questions they are quite difficult to answer in an online forum. 

    If you'd like to send your questions through to Bowel Cancer Australia's Bowel Care Advisory Services team, one of our friendly Bowel Care Nurses would be very happy to get in contact with you to provide an individual response and advice. 

    You can send your questions to us using the web form available at http://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/nurse 


    We look forward to receiving your questions and to offering you some tailored advice. 

    Kind Regards, 
    The team at Bowel Cancer Australia 
    www.bowelcanceraustralia.org 


    Please Note: The information provided by Bowel Cancer Australia’s Nurse and Nutritionist Advisory Services is intended for Australian residents as a reference guide only. It is not a substitute for independent professional advice and is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or disorder. 

    If you believe your symptoms are consistent with those of bowel cancer or a digestive illness, please consult your doctor. 

    Bowel Cancer Australia, its directors, officers or medical professionals shall not be liable to any person, company or any other body for any loss, direct or indirect or consequential on whatsoever account for any omission or negligent misstatement.

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