Ulcers and Bowel Cancer

[Epiphany74]

My mother in law had a test today where the doc found an ulcer in her bowel. She now has to go to hospital in two weeks to have it removed. Problem is, the doc said that all ulcers in the bowel are cancerous. So now she is convinced that she is going to die, and is whipping up her sons into a similar panic. I can't find any clear facts on the net about the link between ulcers and cancer - any advice, or can anyone point me in the right direction for information?

[skyep]

Hi Epiphany - Try looking up ulcerated bowel on www.ask.co.uk Quite a lot of information there xxx

[naomi24]

Are you sure she understood what the doctor said? Even if that's true (and I have my doubts), bowel cancer is very treatable. I have considerable experience of bowel cancer (our family has a rogue gene so I've lived surrounded by it all my life) and if it's spotted, then people don't die from it, so please don't worry - and tell her not to worry. I'm sure she'll be fine. x

[campbellking]

Has she got ulcerative colitis? If so, chances of developing cancer increase after 10 years of disease activity, but by nomeans do all patients develop cancer.
(Wikipedia have a nice section on ulcerative colitis)

[joannie10]

I dont have the experience the others have but certainly from what naomi24 has said they need to double check the information she has been told - shock of any illness could have made her misunderstand. I am just responding because my aunt is currently being treated for bowel cancer. We were obviously upset when we found out about it because of the location in her particular case they could not just remove it - everyones first thought was she was just going to die. She is successfully going through chemo - although no way in the clear the tumor is getting smaller and smaller. I do think my aunts positive attitude is helping her along to. Best wishes to you all - there is plenty support out there.

[Ethel]

Your mother-in-law has either been misinformed or misunderstood what she was told.

There are many sorts of benign (non-cancerous) ulcers in the bowel which can be easily removed with no after effects other than those short term effects experienced from any sort of surgery.

It is natural she will be worried though.

[Epiphany74]

Thank-you all. It is very possible that she misunderstood or misinterpreted what was being said. My husband usually attends important appointments with his parents but missed this one. On past form we know that what she hears and what he hears are usually quite different. There is an x-ray scheduled for tomorrow, and surgery to remove the ulcer in about two weeks. In the meantime everyone is very worried and your information and kind words are reassuring. Thanks again.