Shall I ask for a Colonoscopy!!

What I am not quite sure is when your symptoms changed. How long have you been suffering with IBS and is it getting worse or better or staying much the same? Also age is a factor to consider as bowel cancer is more prevalent at later ages. The other thing is that bowel problems are not just IBS or cancer - so it may be worth ruling out bowel inflammation. If you have had the symptoms a long time and you are under 50 and it is not changing much then I would probably not have a colonoscopy but watch for any changes. Otherwise I think I would. IBS can be affected by worry and if you are worrying about all this then that might be adding to your symptoms and having the test will probably put your mind to rest. One other thing: I found the culprit meal to be not the last meal I had eaten but one about 12 to 20 hours before, which makes sense because it probably only irritates when it reaches the gut. The usual culprits are too much wheat and some legumes and nuts. It's wheat, broad beans and cashew nuts with me although I often the cashew nuts anyway...! Good luck!

You should not have to ask for a colonoscopy ...your GP or your Sister`s consultant should suggest that you have one ...especially if your cousin is on the "other side" of the family from yourself and your sister. I have had bowel cancer and my consultant wrote to my Brother`s GP reccomending that he had a precautionary colonoscopy even though he had no symptoms, If you don`t hear anything ask your GP to put you forward for a colonoscopy....or get your sister to ask her consultant about it. Just because you have no seriuos symptoms doesn`t mean there`s nothing wrong. Nearly all bowel cancers start off as polyps which display no symptoms at all... but potentially can turn cancerous after several years. If you have a colonoscopy now and polyp are found they can be nipped out during the procedure...and save you a lot of trauma later on in life.  A 30 minute colonoscopy versus a major operation, 2 weeks in hospital  and 6 months chemotherapy?....the choice is easy to put your mind at rest.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was related to your opp. if eating sets it off very quickly it sounds as though your gut may be out of sync. Could be antibiotics that started it. Mine was started by a severe stomach bug as a teenager and I developed these food intolerances. They can give you a camera in a tiny capsule that goes through your entire digestive tract and that might help them spot what is happening. I hope it clears up because things are miserable.

Hi,

my my grandma died of colon cancer cancer.  I went to GP with a bulge down below which GP said was IBS I paid private for a consultation with a colon specialist at The Spire who said I had a Rectocele.  My GP wouldn't refer me for a colonoscopy even with my symptons.  The consultant did because I said about my grandma.  GPS don't automatically refer you for one even with family history.  Consultants are different and I found mine to be very compassionate she said I needed a colonoscopy for my peace of mind as well which she said she will do on NHS.  You would need to fall in the criteria for referral my GP said which I didn't because I didn't have blood.

I would get one done, considering your symptoms and worrisome family history of colon cancer.  With a colonoscopy the doctor can cut out any polyps and check them for cancer, often in a pre-cancerous state.  A study done at East Tennessee State University showed that a newer and better occult blood tests and colonoscopy screenings are about equally effective in finding cancerous growths, provided no family history of colon cancer or untoward GI symptoms. Many GPs prefer to rely on the occult blood test because of its ease of use and it works very well for most people.