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Disparity in results of stool tests

Inkydogstudio
Offline

Hi, I recently did a stool test as part of the national BC screening programme, which came back negative. A couple of weeks later, I went to my gp as I have seen blood on toilet paper after wiping and think it's due to piles, which I've had for years. The doctor examined me and said I have "a few small tags" around the anus. She then gave me a FIT test to do and also referred me to colorectal (non urgent) and to have a blood test. I did the FIT test last Tuesday and on Friday (yesterday) got the results back: "abnormal - patient is high risk - urgent referral needed" my score was through the roof - 162.3. I'm so scared and confused at how different these results are. If I hadn't gone to the doctor about my piles, I'd never have done this 2nd test and carried on believing all was well. My anxiety levels are sky high and all I can think of is that there's a good chance I may have bowel cancer

  • Hello Inkydogstudio and thanks for posting, 

    I can appreciatte how unsettling this is, but all the FIT test can show is bleeding - not the cause-  so try and hold your nerve about what could be going on, remember other things can cause bleeding too.

    When there is a bleeding point in the bowel, it might not bleed all of the time which could explain why the screening FIT was ok when the one your GP asked for wasn't.

    For now all I think you can do is to try and work out how best to cope with the uncertainty and inevitable anxiety while you are waiting to find out more. Try not to search the internet too much, it is very tempting but can't tell you what is going on and might make you worry more.

    I hope you find out soon what the next step is to sort this out. 

    Best wishes,

    Julia

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Julia

    Thanks for your reply. Is there a possibility the piles could be to blame? I realise I won't know until the investigation but this is the thing I'm clinging on to. 

  • Offline in reply to Inkydogstudio

    ...and also, that must mean a lot of people receive negative results when they shouldn't, because the 2nd sample I sent seemed ok to me, so if it's not something you can see with the naked eye you're not going to see your gp about it...?

  • in reply to Inkydogstudio

    Hello Inkydogstudio and thanks for getting back to us, 

    The bleeding could be coming from the piles or other things inside the bowel like a polyp (non cancerous growths) or some inflammation, try your best to keep an open mind about it.  

    The FIT test is used in different contexts. One is in the screening of healthy people with no symtpoms to look for early bowel cancer. And the other is to help the GP decide what to do in certain situations when they are assessing people who have symtpoms that might be due to bowel cancer. 

    With cancer screening, no test can be perfect and it is possible to miss a bowel cancer that wasn't bleeding around the time that the test sample was taken. This is explained in the NHS leaflet that accompanies bowel screening kits - although screening healthy people can reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer it can't guarantee that they don't have it or won't get it in the future.

    There is a bit of a difference in how the FIT test is reported depending on why it is being done. But if a FIT arranged by the GP comes back negative then the GP would review it in the context of the symptoms and possibly other test results to decide if anything else needs to be done.  

    Anyway I think for now it may help to try and think about something else as much as is possible and use distraction as a coping strategy. 

    Take care,

    Julia 

     

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Julia

    Thanks for your reply Julia. I'm Jane btw (weird username lol). Yes I will try to stay calm but very hard to forget the wording on my records "fast track referral for suspected lower gi cancer", so impossible for me not to feel anxious. You are right though there are other possible explanations. I'm assuming I will have a colonoscopy? I don't think it mentions this on my referral. Thank you 

  • in reply to Inkydogstudio

    Hello Jane and thanks for getting back to us again,

    Colonoscopy is usually the test that is used to  investigate an abnormal FIT test. It is really the gold standard for looking at the length of the bowel and if necessary taking biopsies of any abnormal areas. This could be polyps which are usually benign (not cancer).

    You can read about having a colonoscopy on our website here

    I am sure that if they are planning to do a colonoscopy they will tell you all about it at your appointment.

    Try if you can not to dwell on it too much and keep your mind distracted.

    If at any stage you would like to chat this through with one of the nurses on the helpline then do get back to us or give us a ring.

    The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the Best,

    Catherine

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Catherine

    Thanks for your reply Catherine. I know know my colonoscopy is on 4th March, so am hoping all will be well

  • Offline in reply to Inkydogstudio

    Hi Jane,

    How are you? I am glad you have got a date for your colonoscopy and that it is not too far away. At least you will have some answers soon and I am sure they will be all positive and all this worry will go away.
    Did your blood tests come back? 

  • Offline in reply to Lalaear

    Hello [@Lalaear]‍ , thank you so much for asking <3

    i have been feeling a little calmer these past few days, managing to focus on some lino printing which is therapeutic. I saw another GP yesterday who explained why they use the scary wording on these referrals (otherwise I'd not get seen quickly, or even decide myself the colonoscopy isn't really necessary!), which does make sense. I had the blood test yesterday afternoon so I guess will be a few days until the results. Other than that I really can't say I am aware of any possible symptoms and haven't been seeing anymore blood on stools. Not too long to wait until 4th March I guess...

    How is your husband? Am I right in thinking his colonoscopy is on 28th February? And how are you? Xx

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