My consultation with Richard Stacey at the John Radcliffe in Oxford went well and the MRI showed that the Thoracic Laminectomy last year, was a complete success. Last Tuesday I attended Northampton Hospital and completed the next round of CT Scans and CEA blood test (Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) tumor marker test) I will get the results next week when I attend Oncologist Craig Macmillan consultation fingers crossed please!!!
Yesterday was a great day, I attended Bowel Cancer UK head office in London SW1 where I met CEO Deborah Alsina and Andrew Jazaerli Senior Policy Officer. I have often blogged about the great work that is done by Bowel Cancer UK staff and their many volunteers.
I was asked by Andrew and Deborah to take part in a focus group concerning the
research they are conducting into advanced disease. The aim of the project is to investigate bowel cancer patients (and their families) experiences of treatment and care to identify both best practice and gaps in provision. Bowel Cancer UK hope to use the information to influence government and healthcare commissioners, and ultimately improve patient care.
The Time for Guts Campaign is about saving lives from advanced bowel cancer.
It was also my pleasure to meet John Anton and Eleanor Harwood both have been through similar experiences as I and both are avid campaigners for Bowel Cancer UK
Symptoms of bowel cancer
The symptoms of bowel (colorectal) cancer can be:- Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
- A change in bowel habit lasting for 3 weeks or more especially to looser or runny poo
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
- A pain or lump in your tummy
You might experience one, some, all of the above or no symptoms at all. Remember most symptoms will not be bowel cancer.
If you are worried about any symptoms that you think might be caused by bowel cancer, make an appointment with your doctor.
Just remember you'll not be wasting anyone's time by getting checked out. If it isn't serious, you'll put your mind at rest.
Early detection can make all the difference.
Over 90% who are diagnosed at the earliest stage are successfully treated. So a trip to your doctor could save your life.
