Seeing your GP when you have symptoms of bowel cancer

You should see your doctor if you notice a change that isn't normal for you. Or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of cancer.

Even if you're worried about what the symptom might be, don't delay seeing them. If you're finding it difficult to get an appointment you should keep trying. Your worry is unlikely to go away if you don’t see someone about it.

The symptom might not be due to cancer. But if it is, the earlier it's picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment. You won't be wasting your doctor's time.

Try not to be embarrassed. What you tell your GP is confidential. Doctors are used to discussing intimate problems and will try to put you at ease.

Getting the most out of your GP appointment

You may have your appointment in person, over the telephone or as a video call. However you speak to your GP it can be difficult to remember everything you want to say. These tips will help you get the most out of your appointment.

Tips

Write down your symptoms including when they started, when they happen and how often you have them.
Write down anything that makes them worse or better.
If you would prefer to only see a male doctor or female doctor, ask when you book the appointment - the receptionist will tell you if it is possible.
Tell your GP if you are worried about cancer.
Tell them if you have any family history of cancer.
Have a friend or relative with you for support - they could also ask questions and take notes to help you remember what the GP says.
Ask the GP to explain anything you don’t understand.
Ask the GP to write things down for you if you think it might help - if you have a telephone or video appointment ask for the information to be left at reception for you to pick up.

Watch this video about tips for telephone and video consultation.

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Transcript

If you notice a change that isn’t normal for you, contact your doctor.

When you speak to the doctors’ receptionist, they may offer you a phone or video appointment.

Ask the receptionist what will happen and check:

Roughly when the doctor will call you.
That they have the right telephone number for you
And what number the doctor will call you from
What to do if you can’t connect or get cut off during the call.

Let them know if you might have problems with phone or video. Try practicing a call with a friend or family member. Make sure you are close to the phone or computer around the time of the appointment, so you don’t miss the call.

Before the call write down your symptoms and when they started, how often you have them and if anything makes them better or worse so you have all the info your doctor might need.

Write down any questions you want to ask as well.

Take the call somewhere quiet, where you won’t be disturbed. And maybe ask someone to listen into the call with you for support. They can help to ask questions and help you to remember what the doctor says.

Tell your doctor if you are worried about cancer and ask them to explain anything you don’t understand and about what will happen next. You could write down the information, so you don’t forget. Remember if your symptoms don’t go away or get worse contact your doctor again.

Get more advice at CRUK.org/spotcancerearly

What happens during your GP appointment?

Your doctor needs to build up a picture of what's going on. So they will ask you some questions. These include:

what symptoms you have
when you get them
whether anything makes them better or worse

They will ask you about your general health and any other medical conditions you have.

During the appointment your doctor may want to examine you. You can ask for someone else to be in the room with you if you want, to act as a chaperone. A chaperone is a trained health professional such as a nurse. A friend or relative can also stay with you for support. They can be with you during the examination or throughout the appointment.

Your GP may examine your back passage (rectum). This is called a rectal examination. They do this by putting a gloved finger, with lubricant Open a glossary item on, into your back passage and feeling for any lumps or swelling.

Tests your GP might do

Blood test

Your GP might arrange for you to have blood tests. You usually have these at your GP practice or your local hospital.

Testing for blood in your poo

Your GP might arrange a test that looks for tiny traces of blood in a sample of your poo. This is a test called FIT (faecal immunochemical test).

Most people with a normal FIT test result can be reassured about their bowel symptoms. But some people might have other symptoms meaning they need more tests.

Testing for inflammation in the bowel

Your GP may also ask you for another sample of poo to check for inflammation in the bowel. This test is called faecal calprotectin.

Referral to a specialist

Depending on the results of your examination and any tests, your doctor might:

be able to reassure you
refer you to the hospital to see a specialist

If your GP suspects you have bowel cancer, they will refer you to a doctor who specialises in bowel (colorectal) conditions.

Questions you might want to ask your GP

Do I need to see a specialist? Is it urgent?
When will I see them?
Where will I see them?
Will I find out about my appointments by post or telephone?
Do I need tests? What will they involve?
How long should I expect to wait?
Where can I find out more about tests?
Do I have to do anything in preparation for this test?
When will I get the results and who will tell me?

Your GP might not be able to answer all of your questions. They will tell you what they can at this point. Not knowing is difficult to cope with and can make you anxious.

Speaking to a friend or relative about how you feel might help.

If your GP doesn't think you need any tests or a referral

Can you explain why I don’t need to have tests or see a specialist?
Is there anything I can do to help myself?
Do I need to see you again?
Who do I contact if my symptoms continue or get worse, especially during the night or at weekends?

What happens next?

Make sure you know what happens next. Make another appointment if your symptoms don’t clear up, or if they change or get worse.

How to find a GP

If you don’t have a GP, you can find a doctor’s surgery in your local area by going to:

Making an appointment

To make an appointment you:

can telephone your GP surgery
can book an appointment online through your GP surgery website (if they have one)
may be able to use the NHS App
may be able to go into the GP surgery and make an appointment in person

If it's difficult to get through to the GP surgery by phone try calling at a different time of the day. Or try calling on a different day. It could be particularly busy in the mornings or on a Monday. Although it can be frustrating you should keep trying. Some GP surgeries offer to call you back if you are in a telephone queue.

You might be able to go to your GP surgery to book an appointment. But not all surgeries offer this service. It may help to see if your GP surgery has a website - this will explain the best way to get an appointment.

You don’t have to tell the receptionist why you want to see the doctor, although sometimes it might help to explain your situation.

The reception team are trained in offering you an appointment with the most suitable professional at the right time. Depending on your symptoms, you might see another healthcare professional such as a nurse or physician associate Open a glossary item first.

You may be asked to attend in person, especially if your GP needs to examine you. Or the receptionist may offer you a telephone or video appointment first. If your GP needs to see you after this they will ask you to make another appointment. The receptionist will give you a date and time for this.

Accept a booked appointment even if you think it’s a long time to wait. You could ask about cancellations if you're able to get to the surgery at short notice. Check that the surgery has the right details for you, including your telephone number and email. 

Contact the GP surgery again if your symptoms change or get worse.