Positive FIT test - worried

[Irishgal11]

Hi - sorry if TMI…

last Friday just happened to look into toilet bowl after doing a poo and noticed bright / dark red mucous blood.

spoke to online GP - did a FIT test on Monday and got a positive result of 78 today so will be referred for a colonoscopy.

I haven’t noticed any blood since last Friday and no other symptoms so was expecting the FIT test to be negative and this has thrown me.

Family history is sketchy but it’s possible my grandma died quite young due to colon cancer. I’m 44.

GP has been as reassuring as possible, saying she’d be surprised if it was the worst news but obviously I need to get all tests.

I’m fearing the worst - obviously something is causing this blood and I’m really scared. Would really appreciate if anyone could share similar experiences and outcomes.

Bump

I had a positive FIT test (change in bowel habits rather than visible blood) I think it was around the 20 mark so only just above the number they investigate for.

It’s a scary time while you wait for the colonoscopy, I completely understand your worry. Try not to though and don’t Google things ! Mine turned out to be nothing, they couldn’t even find polyps. Have you had any other tests? My GP ran some blood tests and everything came back normal so that was reassuring. Also a poo sample for Calprotectin which again was reassuringly normal.

@usernamedifferent No, just the FIT test so far.
No mention of Calprotectin but I’ll ask

Seeing GP again later and think I’ll have a blood test which is also freaking me out a bit. I don’t think I have symptoms of anaemia.

Trying to be rational - abnormal tests are common and more than 90% of those aren’t cancer. Just flip flopping between knowing that and thinking the worst!

My husband and I and my mother have all have positive FIT tests at one time or another. None of us had cancer.

@NiggleNoggle Can I ask if you had other symptoms or if tests happened under general screening?

I’ve had raised calprotectin and positive FIT a few times. They measure inflammation and blood in your poo, but there can be lots of causes for those. I have colitis. Whenever I get sent for a colonoscopy it just shows the existing colitis. My DB has had similar results from a fissure (basically a tear in his sphincter that ‘goes’ again quite regularly and sometimes gets infected). The chances are that the cause is benign. Good luck. x

Hi OP,

I had a positive FIT test in 2022, 29 I think the reading was. No visible sign of blood. I’m mid 40s.

My consultant said that 9/10 positive results are not cancer. I had a colonoscopy and they found the tiniest polyp which they removed and it was benign. I went privately as I have health insurance through work. It was all done within two weeks but the wait felt like forever. One of the worst periods of my life.

@WatieKatie yeah the waiting is awful. Don’t have date for colonoscopy yet but dr thought it would be quick. If I haven’t heard by Monday I’ll try the private insurance through work.

That is reassuring about the 9/10 - and even if it the worst does happen, I’m lucky that I happened to look down and notice the blood when I did. Although I’m sure I’ll be ok.. at least that’s what I think right now - might be different in half an hour! 😂

My FIL had a failed FIT test recently. He was in for the colonoscopy within a week, they removed some polyps, all benign. It was a very rapid turnaround and all NHS. I was impressed! They didn't do a calprotectin test as far as I know.

Handhold from here.

As you know there's loads of possible outcomes that aren't cancer. The chances are you've got something terribly boring like piles.

Just in case it's bad news - even bad news doesn't have to be as bad as you fear. Pretty much exactly a year ago (± a couple of days) I had a worrying FIT result. Roll on a battery of further tests and yes it turned out to be cancer. The subsequent chemotherapy and surgery was obviously horrible but the point is I am now cancer free and pretty much healthy again albeit with lower energy levels than before. Cancer treatments include so many more options now compared to what I expected (based on what my gran went through when I was a teenager) and there's a huge amount of support to help get you through it. So even if it's bad news, don't despair.

Good luck.

Hi op, sorry you're going through this. Not knowing is the hardest part. My positive fit test (around 200 if I remember correctly) and subsequent colonoscopy did show I had cancer but bowel cancer is very treatable and if that's the case for you things will move very quickly towards treatment. Mine was caught early and there's no spread and I have no reason to think I won't make a full recovery. I'm incredibly thankful for the fit test that has set me on the treatment path.
Fingers crossed for you that your colonoscopy is clear xx

Hi I had similar symptoms and a high FIT test and it turned out to be a big polyp. Xxxx

Mine was over 200. I didn't have cancer.

Thanks all for your comments. Really reassuring.

I’m just freaking out with the waiting. It’s really triggered my panic and anxiety again which I’d had under control. My GP didn’t order blood tests on time so that’s going to delay things. Nobody at the hospital can help or is answering phone. I’ve tried with my private insurance and I’m even waiting for them to come back to me. And now I’m starting to fixate on any little twinge in my abdomen or down below, which previously I’d let pass without a second thought… gah!

That said, your comments are reassuring. I spoke to nurse consultant yesterday and he said not to worry as it’s highly unlikely to be cancer. But I just feel like I’ve got this thing hanging over me. How do I cope with the waiting?!

I know someone with bowel cancer who never had a positive fit test

@Irishgal11 I was wondering how your tests went? I'm in the same position at the moment after a positive FIT test and have a month to wait for a colonoscopy.

Mine was over 200 and it’s wasn’t cancer xx

@Scared374858 mine was just piles. Not even a polyp. Try not to worry - sure you’ll be fine 😊