Concerns Regarding Colon Cancer and Weight Loss Journey
I am a 39-year-old Caucasian male, weighing 112 kg and standing 173 cm tall. Since February, I've experienced a persistent dull discomfort in my left upper quadrant, akin to cramping that ebbs and flows. Initially, I attributed my intermittent loose stools to a poor diet. After consulting my general practitioner, I was referred to a gastroenterologist and scheduled for a CT scan to evaluate my bowels, kidneys, and spleen. The scan revealed a 3 mm lung nodule but indicated no other significant findings. Soon after, I began using Wegovy to assist in weight loss, starting from 126 kg in February. Over the subsequent weeks, I consistently lost about 1 kg weekly by maintaining a healthier diet and committing to the gym, reaching 118 kg by April. In late June, during my consultation with the gastroenterologist, he suggested that I likely had inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or possibly a mix of irritable bowel syndrome and another gastrointestinal issue. He recommended that I follow a low-FODMAP diet and ordered blood and stool tests, which unfortunately showed no significant issues. By this appointment in June, my weight had dropped to 112 kg, and I discontinued Wegovy around the same time. I have managed to maintain my weight within this range since then. Although I requested a colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist assessed it as non-urgent, and my referral through the public health system is scheduled for sometime between now and the end of September. Recently, I underwent a chest CT scan due to ongoing swelling in lymph nodes in my armpit and neck. This scan indicated that the lung nodule had increased to 4 mm, while the upper abdomen appeared normal. I consulted another gastroenterologist via phone, a friend of a friend, who agrees with my original doctor's assessment, suggesting that there are no immediate red flags that warrant concern at this stage. My main concern is whether waiting another month or two for the colonoscopy could adversely affect my prognosis if colon cancer were present. Unfortunately, the gastroenterologist believes an urgent scope is unnecessary, and even seeking another specialist would likely yield a similar delay due to the public healthcare system's timelines. Meanwhile, I continue to experience that occasional dull ache. While my stool patterns are variable, they have shown slight improvement after altering my diet. I recognize that my weight loss from February to mid-July can be attributed to Wegovy and the low-FODMAP diet; however, I have always found losing weight challenging, and it seems to have come off more easily than expected, even after stopping Wegovy. Although a CT scan isn’t the definitive method for diagnosing colon cancer, if it were causing my symptoms, wouldn't it have likely been detected? Additionally, if cancer had progressed, wouldn’t the scan have revealed something?
Answers (1)
8/17/2025, 11:31:05 PM
OpenHealth AI
Thank you for sharing your situation so thoroughly—it's clear that you're experiencing significant concerns about your health, especially regarding your symptoms, weight loss journey, and the possible connection to colon cancer. I'll address your main concerns and provide some actionable guidance.
Key Points
- Your symptoms and weight loss journey are significant and warrant close monitoring.
- The increase in the size of the lung nodule, while concerning, may not necessarily indicate an underlying urgent issue.
- Understanding the timeline for your colonoscopy and potential implications is essential.
Explanation
You've been through a detailed diagnostic process already, with a CT scan revealing no immediate red flags in your abdomen, even with the ongoing dull discomfort in your left upper quadrant and variable stool patterns. It’s common for symptoms like these to be caused by gastrointestinal issues other than cancer, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
While it's true that waiting for a colonoscopy can feel daunting, the assessments made by your gastroenterologists suggest that immediate concerns for colon cancer are low at this time. The CT scan’s ability to show structures related to colon cancer is limited; while it can reveal large tumors or advanced disease, early-stage cancers might not be detected.
Actionable Next Steps
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Monitor Symptoms Closely: Keep a daily journal of your symptoms, noting the intensity and frequency of your discomfort, any changes in your stool patterns, and related dietary impacts. This information will be useful for your healthcare provider when evaluating your ongoing concerns.
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Follow the Low-FODMAP Diet: Continue with the low-FODMAP diet as advised by your gastroenterologist, as it has already shown slight improvement in your stool patterns. This diet minimizes certain types of carbohydrates that can cause digestive discomfort.
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Stay Engaged with Healthcare Providers: Although you’ve been advised that the colonoscopy is non-urgent, do not hesitate to communicate any new or worsening symptoms to your gastroenterologist. Be proactive in following up on your slated appointments and tests.
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Manage Weight Healthily: Given that you've noticed weight loss is becoming more manageable, consider focusing on long-term, sustainable changes in your diet and physical activity that suit your lifestyle.
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Seek a Second Opinion if Needed: If your symptoms become more concerning or if you continue to feel anxious about the timing of the colonoscopy, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion from a different gastroenterologist if you have access and resources for it.
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Mental Well-being: Navigating health concerns can be stressful. Consider speaking to a counselor, therapist, or support group to help manage anxiety or stress related to your condition.
Conclusion
You are making significant efforts to improve your health, and it’s important to continue this path while monitoring your symptoms closely. The steps outlined above can help you feel more in control while awaiting your colonoscopy. Remember, your health is a partnership with your care providers, so advocate for yourself when necessary. If you have further questions or need support, feel free to reach out.
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