FIT test positive...should I worry about bowel cancer or not

[Mememecjm]

I've been having some lower right sided stomach pains on and off for around a year, it's not too bad but feels raw/stingy always in the exact same spot. I had an ultrasound of my ovaries earlier in the year which was clear although I have a contraceptive coil and they said that an area wasn't fully visable because of this but I was told the pain was likely muscular. I recently went back to GP as the pain is continuing. Saw a different GP who's asked me to have a repeat ultrasound after coil removal soon and ordered blood tests, FIT tests and calcaprotein test. My blood tests have come back mainly normal just a slight rise in the inflammation marker but I had a cold so could have been that, the calcaprotein normal and one FIT test normal but the other 21. I've been referred for a colonoscopy for suspected bowel cancer. I've lost no weight (if anything put it on) and no other symptoms apart from the pain. Initially, I was terrified but after some google research, I'm less worried as bowel cancer should have more symptoms??? Am I right to think the GP is overreacting?

Sorry this turned out to be an essay!!

GP isn't over-reacting as the response to an abnormal FIT test is usually a colonoscopy on the fast track. However, there are loads of reasons for a positive FIT test, some never explained, and the majority of colonscopies don't find anything sinister. It isn't particularly pleasant, particularly the prep, but you will be so pleased after you have had it as it removes a whole pile of health stuff to worry about for a few years. It you are awake the procedure it is absolutely fascinating. Some countries give routine colonoscopies after a particular age.

On the negative side, it;s perfectly possible to have bowel cancer with no symptoms at all (I know, I've had it this year, only detected via a routine screening FIT tests).
On the positive side, there are loads of reasons for a positive FIT that aren't bowel cancer (I think the figures are something like 9 out of 10 cases aren't cancer). And even if it is, if caught early it is an extremely treatable illness.

Hi

I'm in the exact same boat as you.

Had stomach pains on and off for a month. Felt constipated so went to doc's. Had full blood count and lots of other tests that came back as normal. I had a FIT test, this has come back as 1 normal and 1 with 14.2ug.

I've now been referred to the cancer clinic as on the nhs app it said suspected cancer.

I am beside myself with worry, honestly I've 2 children growing up and the thought of leaving them is scaring me to death. My stomach hurts everywhere and I feel drained with worry.

I've not lost any weight or any other symptoms. My doctor said the lab won't detect cancer but why is this my referral.

@Mememecjm a close family member had this very recently. All bloods were fine but FIT test slightly raised. They had had also lost some weight and were having some difestive issues.. Colonoscopy just showed a polyp (not a worrying one) that they removed. They were also referred for a CT scan due to weight loss and that didn’t show anything. Dr said Polyp would have caused the slightly raised FIT.

Looks like your FIT is only slightly raised too and there so lots of reasons for that. The waiting is the worst but its much more likely to be something else other than cancer. Good luck. My relative also got told straight after the procedure that apary from polyp that was removed everything looked healthy.

Thank you Lonestar. I've also heard about polyps recently. I do feel much better knowing this. I'm just praying this is what it is x

I had exactly the same as you. Was diagnosed with IBD.

21 would not be high enough to warrant further investigation if it was in bowel screening test.
It needs to be over 100... but because you have symptoms that's the pathway

My partner had 22 on his, plus v high calpro test, had colonoscopy and nothing wrong but piles.

I recently had similar to you except pain was on left side rather than right. I refused a colonscopy, but had a CT scan with contrast dye instead. I had already had the same scan 2 years ago and they said it was likely diverticular disease, but I was suspecting polyps due to repeated blood in stools.

The scan results showed nothing except a few gallstones (the gall bladder is on the right, so this might be what you have too), no polyps and no diverticular disease!

Anyway, as I also have been previously diagnosed with iron deficiency aneamia due to heavy periods and recently restarted the ferrous fumerate (strong iron tablets), things have improved no end and I've had no pain or blood for over a month now!

So it was all due to the lack of iron 🤦‍♀️ Hopefully, your issue is also something that can be treated easily 🤞

I've got my colonscopy Saturday so hopefully know more then. They repeated my blood test this week which shows CRP slightly raised still.
They'll see you within 2 weeks if it's a suspected cancer referral like mine so you'll get answers soon too. Try not to worry too much in the meantime, there's a whole list of things it can be with stress being up there too.x

My FIT test result was 77 (high) and touch wood all is fine 🙏

I was sent for a colonoscopy due to a positive FIT test on the weekend (appointment time was within 2 weeks of meeting with the specialist doctor).
All fine for me and I did have symptoms (not weight loss) which are still persisting but will have to investigate other reasons for this.
Biopsies were taken to test for inflammation apparently but I've not heard back on those.
I recommend reading up on the colonoscopy prep on here (I use Google to search and just add numsnet at the end as the search function on this site can be poor). The tips and tricks of others helped as it is tough going. At first I thought the drink wasn't too bad but how wrong I was. I made it to the end but left a small mouthful - it was either that or be sick.
The colonoscopy itself was fine (especially with sedation). Not too uncomfortable or embarrassing and has been peace of mind for me.
I won't say don't worry as that's all I did beforehand but I hope you'll feel better once you've had it. The consultant told me all was fine and a nurse took me for a debrief once I'd had my cuppa and a sandwich so you'll know soon enough.

Good luck today @Mememecjm fingers crossed for you.

Update....colonoscopy done, prep was hard, I vomited so was worried it wouldn't have worked well enough but it did thankfully. Some areas of inflammation seen so biopsies taken but no evidence of cancer.

Good news. Was thinking of you. At least that's out of the way.

Hope yours goes well too 🩷

Op I'm glad you got it done with and what they said.

When will you know results of the biopsies? What do they look for?

I'm waiting on a repeat fit test.
First was 14, but I've got symptoms including every IBS symptom hence the 2nd test.

The anxiety is making the pooing worse, I just want to know something now.

Good luck

I've been for a ct scan today. The anxiety for all of this is unreal. It's making everything worse. I've not seen any blood in my poo as it was only detected in the lab at 14 so microscopic but I keep looking. My insides feel shredded with the stress.

Just curious as to why you haven't been sent for a referral like I have instead of a repeat fit test. Mine was also 14 but was marked as suspected cancer which caused my anxiety levels to go through the roof. When I spoke to my doctor, he said anything over 10 goes on this pathway.

Hi I have absolutely no idea.

The 2 week pathway seems to be have changed to a 28 day one in my area having looked it up.
It states that of course if considered a risk you'll be seen first.

Which to me is contradictory.

I'm in Devon.

Ive a history of Ibs, went through this fit test thing and a definite on the 2 week thing two years ago.

I was told by two different GP'S not to assume the worst and it being cancer was very unlikely.

To be honest given all my symptoms I think I should have been put on it.

This waiting is insufferable.

I lost my mum to cancer last year, very suddenly.

I think if this next test is lower than 14 that they should send me for a colonoscopy anyway.

When will you find out anything?

Horrible feeling isn't it

Xx

Hi I've been reading about this much higher number for the bowel screening test.

Surely if it was 100 even with no symptoms people are being missed.

Many might have vague symptoms they've put down to IBS etc.

It's a bit concerning.

Any thoughts?

I'm so sorry for your loss

It really is a horrible thing, I'm obviously thinking the worst, I just can't help it especially when I see "cancer referral". I have 2 children, 19 & 12 and the thought of having to tell them if I have cancer is killing me.

I'm not sure when the results will be here for the scan. I've had to delete the NHS app as I was googling everything on the reports.

I don't know what to say except I'm feeling the exact same way with a young adult daughter who has been thru quite enough in the last 12 months.

Thankyou. It was a terrible time and the shock is resonating again with this prospect.

I know we're not meant to Google and when you're sat at the GP surgery you fully understand why they say that.

Yet being curious for me is more of a preparatory thing. So I can be prepared.
Mind you I did that last year and the shock of it was still huge.

I'm trying so hard. I'm all she has really xx

It's the bladder pain and pressure that's bad for me, if it's ibd then does this press on the bladder?

Perhaps I should have a separate thread.

If you wish to pm me you can about worries then feel free.

I'd have to check the actual browser tho as I can't get messages on the app.

X

@meanwhileupnorth

Replied to your message x

I 55 and am speaking to the GP on Monday as my qFIT is 70 and my platelets are very high. I am assuming I will be put on the 2 week pathway.
I had a colonoscopy about 10 years ago I was being checked for a hiatus hernia and they did both ends as my Dad had bowel cancer in his late 70s. I am not looking forward to the bowel prep.
Even with my results IBD is more likely but the key thing is that it has been spotted and is being checked.

Sorry, only just saw some of these.
Still waiting on biopsies, been just over 6 weeks now, I saw my GP last week who said that they tend to rush results that are concerning through so the fact that I hadn't heard anything was likely a good sign.

Hope you managed to get seen too.