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Are Abdominal Pain And Back Pain Signs Of Bowel Cancer?

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Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016
Question: Hello,

I've just been to see my GP as i was worried about ovarian cancer, I'm 43. She examined abdomen and did internal and said she couldn't feel anything untoward. However, she has asked me to provide a stool sample as she thinks it may be IBS causing my symptoms. Now I'm very worried in case she thinks I have bowel cancer and she just didnt want to say to avoid scaring me. I have severe health anxiety and even getting into a doctors office is a big deal for me.

I haven't really had any symptoms other than vague abdo pains and low back pain, but all of these I've had for years.

Is it routine to ask for a stool sample for IBS? Should I be concerned that she thinks there is something more sinister going on and hasn't told me?

Many thanks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (22 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
A Doctor wouldn't withhold information from the owner: The client.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

uour symptoms are certainly not suggestive of a possible cancer if the stomach. a stool exam is neede to rule out IBS as this diagnosis is only arrived at after concluding that every other possible cause of the symptoms has been ruled out. a stool exam is part of the work up.

whether good or bad, it is the patient's right to know what is going on. a doctor cannot and should not do so. any such attitude is ethically unsound. He would not be hiding anything from you, please.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)
Thank you. So, if she had felt a mass or lump, she must tell me? Even if doing so would lmake my anxiety much worse
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
We are trained on how to break bad news.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

we are well seasoned on breaking bad news such that clients can handle. If there were a reason to think it is possible cancer, you wouldn't have gathered clues at minimum from your discussions.

I wish you well. Let me know if there is anything mitre I can do for you at this time.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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Are Abdominal Pain And Back Pain Signs Of Bowel Cancer?

Brief Answer: A Doctor wouldn't withhold information from the owner: The client. Detailed Answer: Hi and thanks so much for this query. uour symptoms are certainly not suggestive of a possible cancer if the stomach. a stool exam is neede to rule out IBS as this diagnosis is only arrived at after concluding that every other possible cause of the symptoms has been ruled out. a stool exam is part of the work up. whether good or bad, it is the patient's right to know what is going on. a doctor cannot and should not do so. any such attitude is ethically unsound. He would not be hiding anything from you, please. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.