Question 1

what would experts say? could a full body ultrasound scan show previously undiagnosed bowel cancer?

Accepted Answer

No: Ultrasound is not a good way to look at the bowel/intestines.  There is a lot of artifact from the gas within the bowel that makes things inside the bowel difficult to see.  A test for blood in the stool and/or colonoscopy would be better.  Sometimes a ct scan or upper GI or barium enema can also help.

Question 2

for what length of time do orallly administered treatments of bowel cancer take to show they are working?

Accepted Answer

Talk to your doctor: You have bowel cancer and have been given an oral medication to help.  Talk to your doctor and discuss what time it should take for the effect to be noticed.  It is always important to talk to your doctor before you leave the office and understand what the expectations of any new medication.  Also talk to your pharmacist to see if any interaction exists between a new and old medication.

Question 3

please tell me, could a ct tap show bowel cancer?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: I'm not sure what a "ct tap" is.  I assume it's a typo for "ct scan".   A ct scan of the abdomen and pelvis can sometimes show bowel cancer, but often they can be difficult to detect, particularly in the large bowel (though this is improved with dedicated ct colonography, which increases detection of colon cancers though may not find other diseases as well as a standard ct).

Question 4

would blood tests give any indication that you have cancer in the body? bowel cancer especially?

Accepted Answer

Colon Cancer: CEA is blood test associated w/colon Ca. However, not a good screening test - significant false +, can be high with benign conditions &amp; in early Colon Ca CEA may not be elevated. Current gold standard for Colon Ca screening is colonoscopy. 2 other alternatives- virtual colonoscopy (CT) &amp; a new stool DNA  test  just recently approved by FDA.  Screen age 50, 40 if + family history Colon Ca or polyps

Question 5

can a blood test reveal bowel cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes/No: Blood tests may show a problem; however blood tests cannot diagnose bowel (eg colon) cancer.
Low hemoglobin (anemia) may indicate bowel blood loss, but is not specific.
Additionally, colon ca has a tumor marker CEA that is useful after a diagnosis is made, but cannot diagnose by itself.

Question 6

if i had a ct scan no contrast of bowel, would it show colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

: No, this common CT technique which is usually done in acute abdominal conditions without time for preparation does not detect colon lesion. However, a different technique called CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) can be used as a screening tool for colon cancer but you need bowel cleaning + drinking oral contrast for preparation + air insufflation per rectum just before the CT done.

Question 7

could anyone explain what bear print in eyes is linked to bowel cancer been told i have over 3 spots in both eyes and need tests why?

Accepted Answer

Bear prints?: Freckles on the retina (congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium) were discovered to be a marker for gardner's, a variant of familial polyposis of the colon (fap). You're an adult and without a personal or family history, you may simply wish to be screened for colon cancer more often than other folks.

Question 8

autopsy studies show that 1.7% of average-risk people in 20s have an adenoma, so why don't they recommend screening for bowel cancer before age 50?

Accepted Answer

No value: The only value in removing  polyps is the rare one that has genetic changes to become cancer.  About 90% don't progress.  Survival hasn't changed with long history of polypectomy.  In those that do change it takes years for the transformation and for the other lesions, they don't show up as a bowel malignancy until one is usually in their 50's.

Question 9

worried i might have colon cancer due to change of bowel habbit. my habbit return to normal for a few weeks then go of cycle then return back to normal. never a persistent change. been diagnosed with ibs after full blood test came back clear ?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely cancer: at the age of 30, colon cancer is extremely rare. The patient population in which cancer could be possible is typically those with a VERY strong family history of colon cancer, those with inflammatory bowel diseases (Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, etc).  Cancer typically causes what we call "constitutional symptoms" which include but are not limited to night sweats, fevers, weight loss.

Question 10

is it normal for 27 yr old f to have diverticular disease? ct shows several diverticular and remarkably thickened bowel. could it also be colon cancer

Accepted Answer

Could be : Diverticular disease is seen in older patients ie over 60, but I have seen it in younger people. One of the theories on why people get diverticuli, or tiny pouches, in the colon, is the low fiber, high fat diet in the U.S. There may also be an inherited aspect.Thickened wall of the colon and diverticuli aren't associated with cancer, but it's reasonable to get a colonoscopy--talk to your doctor.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Does bowel cancer show up on a urine test

A member asked:

What would experts say? could a full body ultrasound scan show previously undiagnosed bowel cancer?

A member asked:

For what length of time do orallly administered treatments of bowel cancer take to show they are working?

A member asked:

Please tell me, could a ct tap show bowel cancer?

A member asked:

Would blood tests give any indication that you have cancer in the body? bowel cancer especially?

A member asked:

Can a blood test reveal bowel cancer?

A member asked:

If i had a ct scan no contrast of bowel, would it show colon cancer?

A member asked:

Could anyone explain what bear print in eyes is linked to bowel cancer been told i have over 3 spots in both eyes and need tests why?

A member asked:

Autopsy studies show that 1.7% of average-risk people in 20s have an adenoma, so why don't they recommend screening for bowel cancer before age 50?

A member asked:

Worried i might have colon cancer due to change of bowel habbit. my habbit return to normal for a few weeks then go of cycle then return back to normal. never a persistent change. been diagnosed with ibs after full blood test came back clear ?

A member asked:

Is it normal for 27 yr old f to have diverticular disease? ct shows several diverticular and remarkably thickened bowel. could it also be colon cancer

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?